The Spotfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ccellatus) is a tropical marine (saltwater) fish.
The Spotfin Butterflyfish is a flat, laterally compressed fish with a dark spot of its dorsal (back) fin. It has a vertical, black bar through its eye, which fades and disappears with age. It has a blue body and yellow fins.
It grows to 15-21 centimetres (6-8 inches) long.
It is native to the tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Caribbean Sea. It prefers to live in coral reefs and lagoons.
It is territorial, defending its territory from other fish.
It eats tubeworms, clams, and molluscs.
It is found alone or in pairs. It forms a monogamous pair for life.
It is oviparous. The female lays eggs which are free floating in sea water until they hatch.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM