The foureye butterfly fish is named for the dark eyespot ringed in yellow on each flank — a false eye that confuses predators about which end is the head. These small, disc-shaped fish reach about 15 cm and are found in shallow coral and rocky reefs across the western Atlantic, from Florida to Brazil. They feed on coral polyps, small crustaceans, and algae, often moving in pairs or small groups. Look for them nosing into crevices during daylight hours.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Teleostei
- Order
- Acanthuriformes
- Family
- Chaetodontidae
- Genus
- Chaetodon
Most likely to be seen at
Sites where its range and habitat make it likely — not yet confirmed by a logged sighting.