The Exquisite Butterflyfish (Chaetodon austriacus), also known as the black-tailed butterflyfish, is a strikingly beautiful marine fish belonging to the Chaetodontidae family. This species primarily inhabits the undefined, notably in the 🌊 Red Sea and the 🌊 Gulf of Aden, with sightings reported off the coast of Tel Aviv, 🇮🇱 Israel, as an indication of migration through the Suez Canal (🇪🇬 Egypt). Preferring coral-rich environments, this fish is commonly found at depths of 1 to 15 meters (3 to 49 feet) in areas such as seaward reefs, lagoons, or bays.
Measuring up to 13 centimeters (about 5 inches) in length, the blacktail butterflyfish sports an orange body elegantly patterned with thin, curved black stripes. Its distinct black anal fins and tail contrast with the predominantly orange hues. Juveniles tend to have a lighter, whiter body with white bands on the tail. Other species like the melon butterflyfish and the oval butterflyfish share a similar color scheme but have less black on their fins.
This fish displays specific physical characteristics, including 13 dorsal spines, 20 to 21 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, 19 anal soft rays, and possesses 24 vertebrae. Its coloring includes a notable band around the head connecting at the nape and throat, with a black mouth and chin, and a diverse pattern of lines, dots, and triangles between the eyes.
Exquisite butterflyfish are non-migratory and territorial, often found in pairs. They are mainly active during the day (diurnal) and engage in monogamous pairings during the breeding season, often forming pairs for social and reproductive purposes. The females lay eggs (oviparous reproduction), and the species is observed to be monogamous, both socially and obligatorily.
In terms of diet, the butterflyfish primarily feeds on coral polyps and sea anemone tentacles. While there is commercial interest in these fish for fisheries and the aquarium trade, they continue to play an essential role in maintaining the health and balance of coral reef ecosystems.
Why it's threatened
Threat classification from the IUCN Red List.
