This is the Chaetodon multicinctus or Pebbled Butterflyfish
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This is my favorite Butterflyfish!! It is the Multiband or Pebbled Butterflyfish, scientific name is Chaetodon multicinctus. The Hawaiian name is kīkākapu.
These are a smaller species of buttlerflyfish. They grow 3-4 inches and can be found in water from 12-120 feet in depth. Like other butterflyfish, they are disc like in shape, and have a dark line/mask through their eye in order to confuse their predators. They definitely do not blend into their environment with their bright colors of yellow, black, and white. However, they do have a spikey/spiny dorsal fin and perhaps their bright coloration is used as a warning sign to the predators.
There are about 130 species of Butterflyfish, and about 23 of them occur in Hawaii.
This one is actually endemic to Hawaii. They eat coral polyps around the reef. Their favorites include Lobe coral and Cauliflower coral. They generally graze and nibble at one coral and then move onto the next one. They do this as to not destroy any one colony of coral.
Butterflyfish will mate for life.
This particular species has been studied extensively. Something very unique was observed, in that this particular species spends the most time together. They are almost inseparable once they find each other. They are definitely one of my favorite pairs on the reef!
The image above was taken during a Private Ocean Project Maui Snorkel Tour.
This colorful image was taken off a West Maui Beach by the dedicated staff of Ocean Project Maui. They offer custom, private snorkel tours around the island of Maui, Hawaii. Each #COLORSOFTHEOCEAN image you see in our monthly blog, was captured during a private guided snorkel tour. These amazing images, as well as images above and below the water of the clients/supporters are included in every tour at no additional cost.
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