butterfly fish
Tropical reef dweller
Butterfly fish are small, brightly colored tropical fish with flattened bodies and distinctive markings, often featuring eyespots or bands that resemble butterfly wing patterns.
Found primarily on coral reefs, they're popular in marine aquariums.
The name applies to several species across different families, united by their vivid coloration and laterally compressed shape.
Swimming appendages
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- gillsAquatic respiratory organs
- snoutBeast's protruding face
- disc-shapedCircular and flat
laterally compressed · eyespot · false eye · streamlined · banding · striped · posterior · anterior
Full of life, intensity
- bandingAdding decorative strips
- stripedHaving contrasting bands
- yellowHue between green and orange
- blackDarkest possible hue
white · orange · eyespot · patterned · markings · contrast · iridescent · hues
Joined as two
- monogamousMated to one only
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- grazingFeeding on pasture
- nibblingEating in small bites
darting · hovering · schooling · diurnal · feeding · courtship · bonded · shy
Marine skeletal formation
- anemoneTentacled polyp or bloom
- polypFleshy membrane projection
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- symbiosisInterspecies biological interdependence
crevice · lagoon · outcrop · bleaching · conservation · shelter · niche · territory
Having protruding snout
- raccoonMasked North American omnivore
- threadfinFish with elongated fin rays
- saddlebackDip between two peaks
- forcepsMedical grasping instrument
ornate · lined · masked · teardrop · chevron · vagabond · pennant · citron
Combined ocean region
- CaribbeanTropical Atlantic region
- Red SeaAfrican-Arabian saltwater inlet
- Great Barrier ReefVast coral formation near Australia
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
warm waters · shallow · drop-off · atoll · archipelago · Maldives · Hawaii · Fiji
Large storage vessel
- saltwaterOcean water, chemically speaking
- captiveOne held by force
- hobbyistRecreational pursuer of interests
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
feeding · acclimation · compatibility · water quality · livestock · reef-safe · quarantine · specimen
fins
Swimming appendages
disc-shaped · laterally compressed · eyespot · false eye · streamlined · banding · striped · posterior · anterior
vibrant
Full of life, intensity
black · white · orange · eyespot · patterned · markings · contrast · iridescent · hues · brilliant
paired
Joined as two
- monogamousMated to one only
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- grazingFeeding on pasture
nibbling · darting · hovering · schooling · diurnal · feeding · courtship · bonded · shy · skittish
coral
Marine skeletal formation
- anemoneTentacled polyp or bloom
- polypFleshy membrane projection
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
symbiosis · crevice · lagoon · outcrop · bleaching · conservation · shelter · niche · territory · cleaning station
longnose
Having protruding snout
- raccoonMasked North American omnivore
- threadfinFish with elongated fin rays
- saddlebackDip between two peaks
forceps · ornate · lined · masked · teardrop · chevron · vagabond · pennant · citron
Indo-Pacific
Combined ocean region
- CaribbeanTropical Atlantic region
- Red SeaAfrican-Arabian saltwater inlet
- Great Barrier ReefVast coral formation near Australia
tropical · warm waters · shallow · drop-off · atoll · archipelago · Maldives · Hawaii · Fiji · Philippines
tank
Large storage vessel
- saltwaterOcean water, chemically speaking
- captiveOne held by force
- hobbyistRecreational pursuer of interests
filtration · feeding · acclimation · compatibility · water quality · livestock · reef-safe · quarantine · specimen
- Pacific wildlifecoconut crab, flying fox, fruit bat, green sea turtle, frigatebird
- bonytonguescrossback
- Asian wildlifesnow leopard, giant panda, Asiatic lion, Siberian tiger, red panda
- scuba divingscuba, regulator, BCD, scuba diving, wetsuit
- Mascarene wildlifedodo, giant tortoise, fruit bat, gecko, skink
butterfly fishfreshwater fish
Species from unsalted waters
catfish · carp · trout · bass · river fish