Taxonomy [Chaetodon] [Phylum: Chordata] [Class: Actinopterygii] [Family: Chaetodontidae]
Butterfly fishes belong to the same conspicuously brightly colored family group 'Chaetodontidae' as bannerfish, angelfish, moorish idols, and coralfish.
Butterfly fish schools look similar to many of their related species with vivid coloring and flat compressed bodies.
The main difference is the absence of the preopercle membrane around their gills.
Most of the 120+ butterfly fish species are found in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
Marine Vertebrates |> Batfish |> Blennies |> Frogfish |> Groupers |> Seahorses |> Sharks |> Turtles |