Pearlscale butterflyfish

  Tropical reef fish

Identity card

Pearlscale butterflyfish

Scientific name:
Chaetodon xanthurus
Family:
Chaetodontidae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Phylum:
Chordata
Year of description:
1857, Bleeker
IUCN Status:
Least Concern
Distribution:

Western Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, as far as the Ryukyu Islands.

Habitat:

Coral reefs, outer slopes, between 6 and 50 metres deep.

Size:

Up to 14 cm.

Diet:

Small benthic invertebrates and algae.

Where can I find it at Nausicaá?

Mankind and shores

The Ocean Mag

Browse through our Ocean Mag

In the spotlight

Deux nouveaux requins gris rejoignent le grand bassin de Nausicaá

Une arrivée bénéfique pour la population de requins gris à Nausicaá

Article

Births, breeding and transfers: discover the ‘new arrivals’ at Nausicaá

From egg collection to transfer to the tanks, breeding and rearing at Nausicaá.

Article

Un retour à l'océan pour Ripple, la tortue caouanne

La tortue caouanne, recueillie par Nausicaá en janvier 2026 retrouve l'océan après un séjour au centre de soins de l'Aquarium La Rochelle.