Saddleback Butterflyfish

ID points

• A large black saddle patch edged in white on the rear of the back
• Snout and breast orange-yellow, with no eye band
• Adults trail a fine filament from the rear of the dorsal fin

Basics

Family

Chaetodontidae

Length

20–30 cm

Depth

1-30 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Indo-Pacific coral reefs

Habitat

Shallow coral reefs and lagoons

Diet

Coral polyps, algae

Easily confused with

BannerfishThe fourth dorsal spine drawn out into a very long white bannerLongnose ButterflyfishEntirely yellow, with a very long black tubular snoutButterflyfishFlattened disc-shaped body with a protruding snout

Fun fact

A bold black saddle-shaped patch sits high on the back. It is gentle by nature and feeds on coral polyps.

More in this family

• Copperband Butterflyfish
• Eightband Butterflyfish
• Foureye Butterflyfish
• Lemon Butterflyfish
• Raccoon Butterflyfish
• Teardrop Butterflyfish