Mitratus Butterflyfish

Mitratus Butterflyfish

The Mitratus Butterflyfish  Chaetodon mitratus is a very handsome and attractive marine fish. Aquarists and deep water divers alike are attracted by the vivid colors and graceful shape of this species. This is one of only a few butterflyfish species that can inhabit very great depths in the ocean. They usually range between 98 – 230 feet (30 – 70 m) below the surface, but have been found down as deep as 590 feet (180 m). Although it is a very popular butterflyfish among aquarists, this deep dweller is quite rare and commands a high price.

This is a rather small butterflyfish species, reaching only about 5 1/2 inches (14 cm) in length. It has a rather triangular shape with strong yellow, black and orange markings. The arrangement of its distinctive markings create a vivid color pattern that bears comparison to a decorative headdress or headband. Thus it is known by several other descriptive common names including Headband Butterflyfish and Oblique-banded Butterflyfish along with Mitratus Butterflyfish and Mitra Butterflyfish derived from its scientific name