Marley's Butterflyfish

Chaetodon marleyi

Marley's Butterflyfish, also referred to as the doublesash butterflyfish, is a marine species located in the southwestern Indian Ocean and the southwestern Atlantic Ocean near southern Africa. This fish is recognizable by its silvery-white body featuring three broad vertical bands that are yellowish-brown, along with a similar band across its eyes and caudal peduncle. The fins are predominantly yellow, with the dorsal fin having 11 spines and 23-24 soft rays, and the anal fin comprising 3 spines and 18-19 soft rays. It can reach a length of up to 20 centimeters. This species is found in rocky and coral reef environments and is also present in estuaries, inhabiting depths up to 120 meters. Marley's Butterflyfish is omnivorous, consuming macroalgae and various benthic invertebrates such as polychaetes, crustaceans, hydroids, and ascidians. They are known to form pairs during breeding, as they are oviparous and engage in pair-bonding for reproduction. Divers may encounter Marley's Butterflyfish in subtropical waters from Delagoa Bay in Mozambique to Lambert's Bay in South Africa. These fish are often seen in pairs, reflecting their reproductive behavior. The species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.