Butterflyfish
Butterflyfish are a group of conspicuous tropical marine fish of the Chaetontidae family, which includes bannerfish and coralfish. Butterflyfish look like smaller versions of angelfish but lack preopercle spines at the gill covers. Over thirty species are found in the Maldives.
Threadfin butterflyfish, Chaetodon aurigaAngelfish
Marine angelfish are perciform fish of the Pomacanthidae family. There are seven genera and about 86 species, 14 of which are found in the Maldives. They are distinguished from butterflyfish by the presence of strong preopercle spines, part of the gill cover.
Emperor angelfish, Pomacanthus imperator (adult and juvenile)Bannerfish
Bannerfish are related to butterflyfish. Some species form large schools. Some species have a distinct dorsal fin spine, the "banner".
Phantom bannerfish, Heniochus pleurotaenia©2018, 2019 Mermaid Underwater Photographic. All Rights Reserved.
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Last modified 4 November 2019