About Bannerfish

The butterflyfish are a group of conspicuous tropical marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae; the bannerfish and coralfish are also included in this group. The approximately 129 species in 12 genera are found mostly on the reefs of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. A number of species pairs occur in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, members of the huge genus Chaetodon.

Butterflyfish look like smaller versions of angelfish (Pomacanthidae), but unlike these, lack preopercle spines at the gill covers. Some members of the genus Heniochus resemble the Moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus) of the monotypic Zanclidae. All three families belong to the order Acanthuriformes and share a similar habitat.

Appearance

Butterflyfish mostly range from 12 to 22 cm (4.7 to 8.7 in) in length. The largest species, the lined butterflyfish and the saddle butterflyfish, C. ephippium, grow to 30 cm (12 in). The common name references the brightly coloured and strikingly patterned bodies of many species, bearing shades of black, white, blue, red, orange, and yellow. Other species are dull in colour. Butterflyfish are a boundless, different group of marine percoids with delegates on practically all coral reef frameworks and in every single tropical ocean. Their bright and color patterns have drawn in much consideration, creating an abundance of data about their conduct and environment. Many have eyespots on their flanks and dark bands across their eyes, not unlike the patterns seen on butterfly wings. Their deep, laterally narrow bodies are easily noticed through the profusion of reef life.

Species in this group

Where to see it

Top-rated dive sites where divers have spotted Bannerfish.

Knife Rock

Knife Rock

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Sri Lanka, Trincomalee Pigeon Island Marine Park
Shallow dive with diverse landscapes, reef life, and history.
🚤 Boat beginner
Biquelli Wall

Biquelli Wall

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Indonesia, Alor Alor Marine Protected Area
Coral-rich vertical wall with diverse reef life and critters.
🚤 Boat all levels
Spot Light

Spot Light

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Dramatic wall dive with caves, air pockets, light shafts.
🚤 Boat advanced
Anchor

Anchor

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Mozambique, Ponta Do Ouro Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve
Beautiful coral reef with an anchor and diverse marine life.
🚤 Boat intermediate
La Dania's Leap

La Dania's Leap

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Bonaire Sint Eustatius And Saba Bonaire National Marine Park
La Dania's Leap is an exhilarating drift dive for experienced divers, exploring a stunning wall reef from La Dania's to Karpata with abundant marine life and potential shark sightings.
👣 Shore advanced
Conception South

Conception South

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Granite boulders and coral create a rich, varied landscape.
🚤 Boat intermediate
Ao Kluai

Ao Kluai

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Thailand, Koh Chang Mu Ko Rang National Park
Vibrant shallow reef with boulders, abundant fish, and seahorses.
🚤 Boat all levels
Big Seal

Big Seal

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Australia, Forster Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park
Exposed offshore reef with sharks, caves, and strong currents.
🚤 Boat advanced
Red Hill

Red Hill

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Shallow pinnacle drift dive with abundant Hawaiian reef fish.
🚤 Boat all levels
Balinghai

Balinghai

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Unique parallel walls with sharks and vibrant reef life.
🚤 Boat all levels
Pramuka Jetty

Pramuka Jetty

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Indonesia, Thousand Islands Pulau Seribu Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park
Jetty dive with varied topography and rich reef life.
🚤 Boat all levels
Second Cathedral

Second Cathedral

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
United States, Hawaii, Lanai Mānele Bay Marine Life Conservation District
Spectacular cavern dive with unique lava formations and reef life.
🚤 Boat intermediate
Murex House Reef

Murex House Reef

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Accessible shore dive with rich macro and excellent night diving.
👣 Shore all levels
Bachelor’s Beach (Beyond the Corals House Reef)
Bonaire Sint Eustatius And Saba Bonaire National Marine Park
Easy shore dive with coral nursery and diverse life.
👣 Shore all levels
Gili Biaha

Gili Biaha

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Advanced dive with sharks, macro life, and dramatic topography.
🚤 Boat advanced
Thinga Thila

Thinga Thila

⭐ 5.0 Scout Score
Maldivian seamount, a photographer's treasure box with rich marine life.
🚤 Boat All levels
Compass House Reef

Compass House Reef

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Vibrant coral reef slopes down to a muck diving bottom.
🚤 Boat All levels
Cliff House

Cliff House

⭐ 3.0 Scout Score
Shallow shore dive with hard corals and abundant reef fish.
👣 Shore Beginner
Koh Yak - Koh Rang National Park
Thailand, Koh Chang Koh Rang National Park
Vibrant coral reef with shallow gardens for all divers.
🚤 Boat All levels
Red Light House

Red Light House

⭐ 4.0 Scout Score
Shallow reef ideal for beginners, photographers, and macro life.
🚤 Boat Beginner

Sources

  • Wikipedia — licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text adapted from the Wikipedia article; modifications by WikiBubbles are shared under the same license.