How to Identify Exquisite Butterflyfish

To identify Exquisite Butterflyfish (Chaetodon austriacus), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

The body is predominantly bright yellow, adorned with several narrow, oblique black bands that run from the dorsal fin towards the ventral side. A prominent black bar, often edged in white or blue, passes vertically through the eye. The caudal fin (tail) is entirely black, giving rise to one of its common names, 'Blacktail Butterflyfish'. The dorsal and anal fins are yellow with a thin black margin. The pectoral fins are translucent.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Bright yellow body with oblique black bands, Black caudal fin, Black bar through the eye, Small, protractile mouth

Dorsal fin

13-14 spines, 20-22 soft rays

Tail fin

Truncate to slightly emarginate, entirely black.

Pectoral fin

Small and translucent, typically 15-16 rays.

Distinctive fins

The dorsal and anal fins are continuous and well-developed, contributing to the compressed, disc-like body shape characteristic of butterflyfishes.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Coloration and Pattern

   Look for the vibrant yellow body with distinct oblique black bands and the solid black caudal fin. The black eye bar is also a key identifier.

2. 2

   Geographic Location

   If observed outside the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden, it is likely a different species, as C. austriacus is endemic to this region.

3. 3

   Body Shape

   Like most butterflyfishes, it has a highly compressed, disc-shaped body.

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