Teardrop Butterflyfish

Chaetodon unimaculatus

CommonChaetodontidaeHarmless

ID points

A large teardrop-shaped black spot in the middle of the flank
Body white to pale yellow, dorsal and tail fins bright yellow
A black band runs vertically through the eye

Basics

Family: Chaetodontidae
Length: 15–20 cm
Depth: 1-30 m
Regions: Indo-Pacific reefs
Distribution: Coral reefs from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific
Habitat: Shallow coral reefs
Diet: Coral polyps, algae, polychaete worms

Easily confused with

Foureye ButterflyfishA large black eyespot edged in white on each side of the tail base

ButterflyfishFlattened disc-shaped body with a protruding snout

Lemon ButterflyfishNeat rows of small black dots on a lemon yellow ground

Fun fact

The Teardrop Butterflyfish is white with a clear teardrop-shaped black blotch in the middle of each flank, and yellow dorsal and tail fins, giving it a simple and elegant look. It is one of the most widely distributed butterflyfishes and the hardiest of them in aquaria, adaptable and feeding on coral polyps, bottom-dwelling worms and algae.

More in this family

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