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Butterfly fish
What kind of animal is Butterfly fish?
Butterfly fish are a group of tropical marine fish that belong to the family Chaetodontidae.
They are related to angelfish, but they have no spines on their gill covers.
They are mostly found on coral reefs, where they feed on coral polyps, worms, and other small animals.
They have thin, disk-shaped bodies and bright colors and patterns that help them communicate and avoid predators.
Some species are monogamous and mate for life.
Butterfly fish are popular aquarium fish, but they can be difficult to keep because of their specific dietary and environmental needs.
Example of the color palette for the image of Butterfly fish
![Palette with colors: Liver, Pastel blue and Slate gray Picture with primary colors of Liver, Pastel blue, Slate gray, Saddle brown and Seal brown](/images/butterfly-fish/fish-that-is-swimming-in-some-water-near-some-corals-i438795b4b9.webp)
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What is the animal Butterfly fish known for?
Butterfly fish are known for their bright colors and striking patterns, which make them stand out among the coral reefs.
They are also known for their long noses, which help them reach into small crevices to feed on plankton, coral, and sea anemones.
Butterfly fish, butterfly fish
You are a sight to behold
With your vivid hues and dazzling spots
You shine like a ray of gold
Butterfly fish, butterfly fish
You are a master of disguise
With your eye-like dots and dark bands
You confuse your enemies' eyes
Butterfly fish, butterfly fish
You are a loyal mate
You swim with your partner for life
And share a coral estate
Butterfly fish, butterfly fish
You are a wonder of the sea
With your graceful shape and slender snout
You are a beauty to see
Example of the color palette for the image of Butterfly fish
![Palette with colors: Teal blue, Rose ebony and Eton blue Picture with primary colors of Teal blue, Rose ebony, Eton blue, Brass and Dark turquoise](/images/butterfly-fish/painting-of-a-fish-swimming.webp)
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Where does the Butterfly fish live?
Butterfly fish are a group of tropical marine fish that live in a coral reefs.
They are mostly found in the warm temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
Some species can also live in brackish water bays or near mud flats.
Butterfly fish are usually found in shallow waters, where they can swim among the coral and other invertebrates.
However, some deep-water species do exist that can descend to 590 feet.
Example of the color palette for the image of Butterfly fish
![Palette with colors: Pastel brown, Oxford Blue and Bright turquoise Picture with primary colors of Pastel brown, Oxford Blue, Bright turquoise, Pale blue and Teal blue](/images/butterfly-fish/blue-and-yellow-fish-swimming-in-an-aquarium.webp)
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What does the Butterfly fish look like?
They have thin, flattened, disk-shaped bodies, with an uninterrupted dorsal fin.
Most species have elongated noses which allow them to reach small crevices to feed.
They closely resemble the angelfish, but they are smaller and lack the preopercle spines at the gill covers.
Many butterfly fish have dark bands across their eyes, and round dots on their flanks which can be confused with eyes to predators.
This confuses the predators as to which way the fish is likely to flee.
Their vivid patterns in whites, blues, reds, oranges, yellows, and blacks vary depending on the species and the habitat.
Some species are duller in color, yet still with intricate patterns.
Butterfly fish are mostly found on the coral reefs of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, in tropical and subtropical waters.
They feed on plankton, coral and sea anemones.
The smaller species tend to stay in groups, whereas the larger species are usually solitary or swim with their mating partner, with whom they mate for life.
Butterfly fish are diurnal animals, which means they are active and feed during the day and rest on the coral during the night.
Some of the best known species of butterfly fish are:
The Auriga Butterflyfish, which has a black and white striped body with yellow fins and a black spot on the rear of the dorsal fin.
The Raccoon Butterflyfish, which has a yellow body with black bands around the eyes and a black patch on the tail.
The Copperband Butterflyfish, which has a white body with copper-colored vertical stripes and a long snout.
The Saddle Butterflyfish, which has a yellow body with a black saddle-shaped patch on the back and a black spot on the eye.
Example of the color palette for the image of Butterfly fish
![Palette with colors: Spiro Disco Ball, Zinnwaldite and Dark tangerine Picture with primary colors of Spiro Disco Ball, Zinnwaldite, Dark tangerine, Dark cerulean and Non-photo blue](/images/butterfly-fish/blue-and-yellow-fish-swimming.webp)
See these colors in NCS, PANTONE, RAL palettes...