HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishDotted butterflyfish Dotted butterflyfish (Chaetodon semeion) Scientific name: Chaetodon semeion Bleeker, 1855 The Dotted butterflyfish (Chaetodon semeion) is a marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, Maldives to the Tuamoto Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19 - 22. The abdominal region of females is noticeably thick set. Body is golden yellow; base of the posterior portions of the dorsal and anal fins black; a prominent vertical black bar running across the eye; diagonal rows of black dots on the sides. A filament originating from the soft portions of the dorsal fin rays trails posteriorly.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChaetodon semeionFamilyChaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length26.0Depth range2–30 m (7–98 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 30 mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-Pacific: Maldives to the Tuamoto Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef.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 nematopteraMirror butterflyfishChaetodon speculumMailed butterflyfishChaetodon reticulatusHawaiian butterflyfishChaetodon tinkeriChevron butterflyfishChaetodon trifascialisMelon butterflyfishChaetodon trifasciatusSee 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