Exquisite Butterflyfish

The blacktail butterflyfish (Chaetodon austriacus), also referred to as the black-tailed butterflyfish or exquisite butterflyfish, is a marine ray-finned fish within the family Chaetodontidae. This species is indigenous to the western 🌊 Indian Ocean and has recently extended its range to the Mediterranean Sea as a Lessepsian migrant via the Suez Canal (🇪🇬 Egypt).

Predominantly found in the 🌊 Red Sea and southern 🇴🇲 Oman, the blacktail butterflyfish was recorded off the coast of Tel Aviv, 🇮🇱 Israel, in 2011, suggesting a migratory event from the 🌊 Red Sea.

With a maximum length of 14 cm, this species is characterized by its orange body adorned with thin, curved black stripes, along with distinctive black anal fins and tail. Juvenile specimens exhibit a whiter body with white bands on the tail. The melon butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus) and the oval butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) possess similar color patterns but display less black pigmentation on their caudal and anal fins.

Typically inhabiting coral-rich environments, the blacktail butterflyfish can be found at depths ranging from 0.5 to 20 meters in seaward reefs, lagoons, or bays. Adults are commonly observed in pairs, maintaining and defending a specific territory, while juveniles reside among coral branches. The diet of this species primarily consists of coral polyps and sea anemone tentacles.