How to Identify Banded Butterflyfish

To identify Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

The body is predominantly white to silvery-white, marked by four prominent, broad, dark vertical bands. The first band passes through the eye, the second from the anterior dorsal fin to the pectoral fin base, the third from the middle of the dorsal fin to the anal fin, and the fourth across the caudal peduncle and posterior dorsal and anal fins. The caudal fin is typically translucent with a dark submarginal band.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Four prominent dark vertical bands on a white body., A small, protractile mouth., A black spot or ocellus on the posterior dorsal fin in juveniles, which fades with age.

Dorsal fin

Single dorsal fin with 12-13 spines and 19-22 soft rays. The spiny and soft-rayed portions are continuous.

Tail fin

Truncate to slightly rounded caudal fin.

Pectoral fin

Well-developed pectoral fins, typically clear.

Distinctive fins

Anal fin with 3 spines and 16-17 soft rays. Pelvic fins are small and located ventrally.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Body Bands

   Look for the four distinct, broad, dark vertical bands against a white or silvery background. This is the most defining characteristic.

2. 2

   Eye Band

   The first dark band always passes through the eye, often obscuring it, which is common in many butterflyfish species as a predator deterrent.

3. 3

   Juvenile Spot

   Juveniles often have a black spot (ocellus) on the posterior part of the dorsal fin, which helps distinguish them from other juvenile butterflyfish. This spot typically fades as the fish matures.

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