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Phylum Chordata > Subphylum Vertebrate > fishes > Family Chaetodontidae
Eightband butterflyfish
Chaetodon octofasciatus
Family Chaetodontidae
updated Feb 11
Where seen? This disc-shaped fish with eight stripes and a spot on the base of the tail is sometimes seen on our Southern shores among live corals.

Features: To about 12cm. Body flat and circular with 8 black narrow bars. Juveniles often seen in groups among branching corals such as Acropora corals (Acropora sp.). Adults seen in pairs.

What does it eat? It eats coral polyps.

Sisters Island, Dec 10
Status and threats: Unfortunately these beautiful fishes are popular in the live aquarium trade although they are considered difficult to keep and feed. It is said it often starves to death when in captivity.

Like other creatures of the intertidal zone, it is affected by human activities such as reclamation and pollution. Over-collection can also have an impact on local populations.

Sisters Island, Dec 10
Eightband butterflyfishes on Singapore shores

Tanah Merah, Jun 10

Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his flickr.

Kusu Island, Sep 10
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on her blog.

Kusu Island, Jul 11

Pulau Sudong, Dec 09
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on her flickr.

Sisters Island, Jul 10
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on her blog.

Tanah Merah, Jul 11

Tanah Merah, Jul 11
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References

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