Butterflyfish
Depth: 20 m · Sunlight Zone
The butterflyfish often wears a black stripe over its real eye and an eyespot near the tail to fool hunters. Many live in pairs together their whole lives. With its pointed snout it picks polyps and small animals out of the coral.
For scientists
Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) often form lifelong pairs and defend a territory together; many specialize on just a few coral species (corallivory) and so are sensitive indicators of reef health. The black eye stripe and a rear eyespot draw attacks away from the head. Their protrusible snout picks polyps precisely.
🌊 Swim straight to it in 3D