HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishAsian butterflyfish Asian butterflyfish (Chaetodon argentatus) Scientific name: Chaetodon argentatus Smith & Radcliffe, 1911 The Asian butterflyfish (Chaetodon argentatus) is a marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. Native range: Western Pacific, Japan, Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, China, and the Philippines. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15 - 16Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChaetodon argentatusFamilyChaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length20.0Depth range5–20 m (16–66 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 5 - 20 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Pacific: Japan, Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, China, and the Philippines.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More angelfish & butterflyfishPajama cardinalfishSphaeramia nematopteraHongkong butterflyfishChaetodon wiebeliRusty angelfishCentropyge ferrugataMargined coralfishChelmon marginalisOriental butterflyfishChaetodon auripesMidnight angelfishCentropyge noxSee all angelfish & butterflyfish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026