RED SEA Butterflyfishes

creatures of this planet. But of all the colourful fish species,

butterflyfishes are among the most beautiful and eye-catching.

The diversity in shapes and colours of butterflyfishes is matched

more than 80 species and flourish in all the tropical seas, and

even in some temperate waters. At least 12 species are found in

the Red Sea: six of these species are endemic and are not found

outside the Red Sea and its southern entrance. The remaining species

live near healthy coral reefs in the 5-15 m depth range. In general,

they have flattened deep bodies that give them exceptional manoeuvrability

in confined areas. They also have a protruding snout with a tiny

mouth that allows them to nibble at coral polyps. Most of the

Red Sea species have some form of an eye mask to camouflage eye

movement. Most species prefer to live in pairs, and sometimes

unmistakable endemic lemon butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus)

with its unique yellow body and greyish eye mask. Known locally

as tabag (saucer), this beautiful and tame species is frequently

seen hanging motionless near the reef, allowing divers to approach

closely making it one of the most photographed fishes in the Red

is the closest species to the lemon butterfly fish, although it

tends to be more mobile. Known locally as abu sharaa (with sail),

it is also endemic and is frequently misidentified as one or other

similar-looking species that live in the Arabian Gulf and Indian

Ocean. In certain locations of the Red Sea, the bannerfish and

the lemon butterflyfish school together and remain there for long

species, is usually seen feeding on table corals. It is a territorial

fish and fights frequently erupt between members of the same species

over feeding territories. An orange stripe runs vertically over

the eyes of this species, and its creamy-white body has several

are always on the move to feed. These include the exquisite oval-shaped

butterflyfish (C. austriacus), the giant butterflyfish (C. lineolatus)

which is the largest species, and the orangeface butterflyfish

(C. larvatus) which is probably the rarest. On the other hand,

the threadfin butterflyfish (C. auriga) and the raccoon butterflyfish

(C. fasciatus) are very common in the Red Sea. The latter is a

very daring species that will follow divers persistently looking

between the corals. During sleep their bright colours tend to

fade and spots develop. In addition, they erect their dorsal spines

and zooplankton. Some species also like to nibble at weak jellyfish

by manoeuvring their bodies carefully to avoid the stinging tentacles.

During a dive on a fringing reef south of Jeddah, I once observed

more than 100 butterflyfishes uncharacteristically feeding together

near the surface. It turned out that it was low tide and plankton-rich

water from the lagoon was gushing from a crack in the reef. The

butterflyfishes seized the opportunity and went into a feeding

of sharks and other large predators on the reef. I have also seen

an electric ray trying to devour a butterflyfish, although it

was not clear if the ray had deliberately stunned the fish. Unfortunately

humans also exploit butterflyfishes. Ironically their sheer beauty

is a major disadvantage since it means that they are highly prized

by fish collectors. It is my belief that the introduction and

enforcement of laws banning fish collecting will ensure that these