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Foureye butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus)

Key facts

Scientific name
Chaetodon capistratus
Common name
Foureye butterflyfish
Category
Fish
Family
Chaetodontidae
Genus
Chaetodon
Size
8–15 cm
Depth
1–30 m
IUCN status
Least concern (LC)
Danger level
Harmless
Habitats
reef
Behaviours
pair-bonding, diurnal
Ocean zones
Caribbean, Eastern Pacific

Description

Chaetodon capistratus reaches 15 cm. Disc-shaped silver-grey body with fine converging dark lines, distinguished by two black ocelli ringed in white near the tail mimicking eyes (hence four-eye), making predators think the fish is swimming in the opposite direction. True eyes concealed by a dark bar. Lives in faithful pairs on Caribbean reefs. Very common in Caribbean underwater photography.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Foureye butterflyfish?
Foureye butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) reaches 8–15 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Foureye butterflyfish?
Foureye butterflyfish is found between 1–30 m deep.
Is the Foureye butterflyfish dangerous to divers?
Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Foureye butterflyfish?
IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
Where can you find the Foureye butterflyfish?
Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.

Other species in the genus Chaetodon

  • Chaetodon fasciatus - Diagonal butterflyfish
  • Chaetodon semilarvatus - Bluecheek butterflyfish
  • Chaetodon auriga - Threadfin butterflyfish
  • Chaetodon lunula - Raccoon butterflyfish
  • Chaetodon sedentarius - Reef butterflyfish
  • Chaetodon ocellatus - Spotfin butterflyfish

Other species in the family Chaetodontidae

  • Heniochus intermedius - Red Sea bannerfish
  • Forcipiger flavissimus - Longnose butterflyfish
  • Heniochus acuminatus - Pennant coralfish
  • Heniochus diphreutes - Schooling bannerfish
  • Heniochus varius - Humphead bannerfish
  • Johnrandallia nigrirostris - Barberfish

Sources

  • Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 159661)
  • Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
  • Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2385548)
  • Conservation: IUCN Red List
  • Encyclopedia: Wikipedia