Bluespot Butterflyfish
Chaetodon plebeius
Bluespot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon plebeius) is a reef-associated butterflyfish from the Indo-Pacific, named for the bright blue spots along its upper body. It is generally an obligate coral feeder and is rarely targeted by anglers.
Identification points
- Bright blue spots scattered across the upper body and back
- Yellow-orange body with a darker facial mask through the eye
- White-edged dorsal and anal fins with the typical butterflyfish oval profile
Habitat
Shallow coral reefs, reef flats, and lagoon patch reefs, especially areas with abundant live coral cover; usually close to the substrate and sheltered reef structure.
Bait notes
Not a practical game species and is not typically baited or targeted. In aquaria it is difficult to feed; natural coral-based foods and small marine invertebrates are the most relevant diet notes.
Behavior
A diurnal, territorial butterflyfish that feeds mainly on coral polyps and small reef invertebrates. It tends to move singly or in pairs and stays close to branching or table corals.
Caution
Do not eat; it is a small coral-feeding reef fish and not a food species. In many places reef butterflyfish are best left alone because of local aquarium-collection restrictions and their sensitivity to handling.
Fishing notes
If encountered while reef fishing, avoid capture and minimize handling; small-mesh collection for aquaria is the only common capture context, but it is not a sport-fishing target. Release immediately if incidentally taken.