Butterfly Fish ID

[gbreynol]

I have caught 5 of these tropical fish so far in a cove by my house. They appear to be some type of juvenile Butterfly fish, which are not native to RI. The largest is a little over an inch. Does anybody know what species they are?

I have them in my frag tank and they appear to be eating and doing just fine. I know Butterflies are notorious coral eaters, but they appear too small to do any damage.

 

[jmicky41]

Spotfin butterfly - Chaetodon ocellatus. Juveniles are said to be swept up north by the warm gulfstream currents.

 

[rachenbrazil]

Yes Spotfin Buttefly - will eat zonthids and any flesh coral with gusto... may seem small but they eat 24/7 to grow so damage may not be so small... it is not a cold water species (although caugh in local waters , natural occurence due gulfstream that drive them up to NY) , keep in tropical temperature . Juveniles adapt well to aquarium, much better than big sizes usually offered for sale.

good luck