Highfin Coralfish

Coradion altivelis

The Highfin Coralfish, also referred to as the Highfin Butterflyfish, is a unique species within the butterflyfish family. It features a short and deep body, with eight dorsal spines and 31 to 33 dorsal soft rays. This species is distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific, from the Andaman Sea and Sumatra to Papua New Guinea, and extends north to southern Japan and south to northwest Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. These fish are typically found in coastal environments such as the outer edges of reefs, drop-offs, and shallow waters with silty bottoms. They inhabit depths ranging from 3 to 30 meters. The Highfin Coralfish primarily feeds on sponges, although it is omnivorous. During the breeding season, these fish form pairs, which is a common trait among butterflyfish. Divers may spot the Highfin Coralfish in inshore reefs with a mixture of algae and coral. While they are not frequently encountered, they pose no threat to humans and are sometimes collected for the aquarium trade. According to the IUCN Red List, their conservation status is categorized as Least Concern.