Spotfin Butterflyfish (juv.)

Spotfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellatus)

The Spotfin Butterflyfish is a beautiful and recognizable species native to the western Atlantic and Caribbean. It features a bright yellow body, elegant vertical markings, and a distinctive black spot near the dorsal fin that gives the fish its common name.

This species is an active swimmer that does best in aquariums with plenty of open space along with rockwork for shelter. Spotfin Butterflyfish can be hardy when properly acclimated and maintained in stable water conditions.

In the wild, they naturally feed on small invertebrates and coral polyps, so they are not considered reef safe in most reef aquariums. In captivity they readily accept a variety of meaty marine foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood.

The Spotfin Butterflyfish makes a striking addition to larger marine aquariums, especially fish-only or fish-only-with-live-rock systems.