Merten's butterflyfish
Chaetodon mertensii
Where at Shedd?
Wild Reef
| Diet | Hard corals, algae and invertebrates |
|---|---|
| Size | Length: Up to 5 inches (12. 5 cm) |
| Type | Fishes |
| Range | Eastern Indian and West-Central Pacific Oceans |
| Habitat | Deep lagoons and sea-facing reefs |
Did you know?
- Bright colors and designs help butterflyfish disappear against the many colors of the reef.
- When butterflyfish wear stripes and spots, predators can’t quite tell what shape and size it really is.
- Most butterflyfish have a dark stripe through their eye and an “eyespot” located towards their tail which helps confuse predators.