Black-backed Butterflyfish

Scientific Name: Chaetodon melannotus

Category: fish

Black-backed Butterflyfish

Brief Description

A marine butterflyfish recognizable by its distinctive pattern of a yellow body with dark horizontal lines and a prominent black patch on its upper back.

Characteristics

Oval-shaped, laterally compressed body. Pale to white flanks covered with narrow diagonal dark bands. The dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins are bright yellow. A distinct black band runs through the eye, and a black area is present on the upper part of the back near the dorsal fin.

Habitat

Coral reefs, particularly in areas with rich coral growth. Found in lagoons and seaward reefs, often associating with branching corals.

When to Find It

Can be observed year-round on the Great Barrier Reef.

Conservation Status

Least Concern (IUCN)

Ecological Role

Feeds primarily on coral polyps (especially soft and hard corals), playing a role in reef ecology and the coral food web.

Easily Confused With

Spot-nape Butterflyfish (Chaetodon oxycephalus) looks very similar but has a separated black spot on the nape instead of a continuous black band from the eye to the nape.

Observation Tips

Best observed while snorkeling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns. Look closely around branching corals where they like to feed and seek shelter.

Interesting Facts

Black-backed Butterflyfish are known to be corallivores, meaning a significant portion of their diet consists of live coral polyps.