Caption: lso known as Coralfishes, Spotted Coralfish, Peppered Butterflyfish and Gorgeous Gussy.
Found singly or in pairs on steep slopes and walls with rich coral growth.
They feed on coral polyps, tentacles of featherdusters and Christmas-tree worms.
Length - 10cm
Depth - 3-25m
Widespread Indian Ocean
Butterflyfish and angelfish are members of the bristletooth family (Chaetodontidae) they have very fine hairlike teeth that enable them to pick out small organisms inaccessible to most other fish for eating.
Butterflyfishes thrive on a diet of coral polyps, tentacles of featherdusters and Christmas-tree worms. As these food sources all zap back into their shells the butterflyfishes need to be able to hover motionless while picking at the coral and to dart swiftly over short distances to get the worm before it retracts. They do this by using their Pectoral fins as oars to brake, sprint, turn and even reverse.