HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishEritrean butterflyfish Eritrean butterflyfish (Chaetodon paucifasciatus) Scientific name: Chaetodon paucifasciatus Ahl, 1923 The Eritrean butterflyfish (Chaetodon paucifasciatus) is a marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. BiologyFound over coral and rubble areas, in pairs or in small groups. Found to depths of 65 m. Feed on coral polyps, gorgonians, algae, polychaete worms and small crustaceans. Oviparous, monogamous. Form pairs during breeding. This attractive fish does well in aquarium surroundings and therefore highly prized by hobbyists.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChaetodon paucifasciatusFamilyChaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length14.0Depth range4–65 m (13–213 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 4 - 65 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Indian Ocean: Red Sea and the 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 nematopteraBluecheek butterflyfishChaetodon semilarvatusHooded butterflyfishChaetodon larvatusRed Sea bannerfishHeniochus intermediusBlacknosed butterflyfishJohnrandallia nigrirostrisDiagonal butterflyfishChaetodon fasciatusSee 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