Facts about butterflyfish

  • There are more than 100 known species of butterflyfish.
  • As for the external characteristics of the butterfly fish, it is worth noting that the average body length of these fish is about 12-23 cm. However, some species, for example, black-legged butterflyfish, grow up to 30 cm.
  • This fish has a disk-shaped body, a solid dorsal fin and a rounded tail. In some species on the back and tail, spots in the form of eyes.
  • Most species of butterflyfish are very bright, with red and orange hues, spots on the body. However, there are also some species of these fish with a faint color.
  • The butterflyfish develop a kind of plate on the body for protection during the breeding season. These plates completely disappear when the fish become older.
  • One of the characteristics that distinguishes butterflyfish from a scalar is the fact that butterflies have an acute muzzle and an elongated nose.
  • Some species of butterflyfish travel in packs. Lonely floating fish is in search of a pair. When a fish finds a pair, they hunt, live and travel together for life.
  • One of the most interesting facts about butterflyfish is that their spawning occurs most often in the twilight. This is a natural mechanism used to improve the survival rate of fry.
  • Fish-butterflies are able to move quickly due to constant swings of the pectoral fins.
  • African butterflyfish is a freshwater fish, smaller in size than other butterflyfish.
  • African freshwater butterflyfish is introduced as a pet more often than a marine butterflyfish.
  • It should be noted that koi butterflies are completely different from marine butterflies.
  • Due to changes in the environment, coral reefs in the oceans are damaged. This leads to the fact that most species of butterflyfish are under threat of extinction.
  • Among all kinds of butterflies, golden butterflyfish is the most popular and the most desired. She has a bright yellow body and therefore they are also called yellow butterflies.