Appearance and lifestyle:
Threadfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga) have predominantly white faces and bodies, with yellow hindquarters. They display a thick black stripe across their eyes, and a black eyespot is present on the dorsal fin. Mature adults have a small, yellow trailing filament on their dorsal fins. Their colouration varies depending on where they originate. For example, those found in the Red Sea do not have an eyespot.
Habitat:
Threadfin butterflyfish inhabit the Indo-Pacific slopes of coral reefs; juveniles are often found on the east coast in tidal pools.
Diet:
These fish usually stay in a pair while hunting small invertebrates such as shrimp, but the species is omnivorous and will scavenge if food is scarce.
Threats:
IUCN status is Least Concern, but its populations are decreasing.