Worldwide the family Chaetodontidae or butterflyfishes, comprises10 genera and about 120 species,8 genera and 28 species are represented locally.

Butterfly fishes typically have deep compressed bodies and often have pointed snouts. They are brightly coloured, often yellow. Many butterfly fishes have a stripe through the eye. This is thought to be a device to confuse predators.

Most butterfly fishes live on coral reefs and occur from 3 - 30m depth, although there are some deepwater species. They are often found in pairs or small groups

Butterflyfishes mainly eat small benthic invertebrates, a few species feed on live coral or plankton.