Chocolate Butterflyfish

Chaetodon blackburnii

The Chocolate Butterflyfish, also known as the brownburnie, is a marine ray-finned fish found in the western Indian Ocean. Its body is predominantly brownish-black, with a bright yellow head and front body. A distinctive black vertical bar runs across its eye, making it identifiable among other butterflyfish. The dorsal fin is dark, while the pelvic fins are bright yellow. It reaches a maximum length of 13 cm. This species inhabits shallow rocky reefs and calm bays, often found along the East African coast from Kenya to the Eastern Cape of South Africa, as well as in the Mozambique Channel islands, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Réunion. It is typically seen at depths of up to 30 meters, often in pairs or alone. The Chocolate Butterflyfish is omnivorous, feeding on benthic invertebrates like bivalves, soft coral polyps, crustaceans, and worms, as well as zooplankton. They are oviparous, with males and females forming pairs during mating. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and is rarely seen in the aquarium trade due to its drab coloration.