Black-Spotted Butterflyfish

Chaetodon nigropunctatus

The Black-spotted butterflyfish, Chaetodon nigropunctatus, is a marine fish found in the northwestern Indian Ocean, particularly in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and along the Arabian Sea coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It inhabits coral reefs and rocky areas, often seen in pairs. Divers can spot this species at depths ranging from 1 to 40 meters, although they are more commonly found between 3 to 15 meters. The fish has a distinctive appearance with a greyish-white body adorned with longitudinal rows of dark grey spots. Its tail is black with a white margin, and it features a grey face with a whitish mouth. This species reaches a maximum length of 14 centimeters. The Black-spotted butterflyfish primarily feeds on coral polyps, which makes it challenging to maintain in captivity. During breeding, they exhibit monogamous pair-bonding behavior and are known to form pairs. Their presence on a dive is marked by their solitary or paired swimming patterns, often near coral formations. The Black-spotted butterflyfish is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, it is considered rare in the aquarium trade due to its specialized diet. Divers encountering this species can observe its unique pattern and behavior, contributing to the ecosystem of coral reefs.