Banded Butterflyfish

Banded Butterflyfish, Color Variation

The Banded Butterflyfish has a silver-white body with a black bar that extends vertically through its eye. Two broad, black bands run along its sides, and another dark band is present on the rear of its body and tail. Juveniles have a distinct black spot with a white outline on the back part of their dorsal fin.

This Butterflyfish is often found in monogamous pairs that defend a shared territory. It has also been observed in larger groups feeding on plankton. When looking for food, it uses its bristly teeth to scrape tiny invertebrates from the reef. It is known to be somewhat cautious and will swim away if approached. It can also act as a cleaner, removing parasites from other animals like Grunts and Parrotfish.