HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishBlacktail butterflyfish Blacktail butterflyfish (Chaetodon austriacus) Scientific name: Chaetodon austriacus R?ppell, 1836 The Blacktail butterflyfish (Chaetodon austriacus) is a marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-21; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19; Vertebrae: 24. Axillary scale present. Color: Presence of band around head connected at the nape and throat. Mouth and chin area black while interorbital area with varying patterns of lines, dots and triangles.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChaetodon austriacusFamilyChaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length13.0Depth range1–15 m (3–49 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 15 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Indian Ocean: Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More angelfish & butterflyfishPajama cardinalfishSphaeramia nematopteraPhilippine butterflyfishChaetodon adiergastosPearlscale butterflyfishChaetodon xanthurusEmperor angelfishPomacanthus imperatorThreespot angelfishApolemichthys trimaculatusBlack butterflyfishChaetodon flavirostrisSee 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