Threadfin butterflyfish

  Tropical reef fish

Identity card

Threadfin butterflyfish

Scientific name:
Chaetodon auriga
Family:
Chaetodontidae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Phylum:
Chordata
Year of description:
Forsskål, 1775
IUCN Status:
Least Concern
Distribution:

Red Sea, Indian Ocean, tropical western Pacific as far as Hawaii, French Polynesia, southern Japan, Lord Howe Island and Rapa Island.

Habitat:

Coral reefs, lagoons, shoals, detrital or sandy bottoms, harbours and estuaries (for juveniles).

Size:

Up to 25 cm.

Diet:

Polychaetes, sea anemones, coral polyps, seaweed.

Where can I find it at Nausicaá?

Journey on high seas

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.