HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishMailed butterflyfish Mailed butterflyfish (Chaetodon reticulatus) Scientific name: Chaetodon reticulatus Cuvier, 1831 The Mailed butterflyfish (Chaetodon reticulatus) is a marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. Native range: Pacific Ocean, Ryukyu Islands to the Great Barrier Reef and the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Ducie islands. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 12 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-29; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 20 - 22. Body is generally black with a broad white vertical band extending from the pelvic to the origin of the dorsal spines. There are several horizontal rows of white spots on the sides. Juveniles similar to adults but white area proportionally larger.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChaetodon reticulatusFamilyChaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length18.0Depth range1–30 m (3–98 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 mClimateTropicalDistributionPacific Ocean: Ryukyu Islands to the Great Barrier Reef and the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Ducie islands.Conservation status (IUCN)Data deficient (DD)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More angelfish & butterflyfishPajama cardinalfishSphaeramia nematopteraDotted butterflyfishChaetodon semeionMirror butterflyfishChaetodon speculumHawaiian butterflyfishChaetodon tinkeriChevron butterflyfishChaetodon trifascialisFourspot butterflyfishChaetodon quadrimaculatusSee 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