HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishSpot-nape butterflyfish Spot-nape butterflyfish (Chaetodon oxycephalus) Scientific name: Chaetodon oxycephalus Bleeker, 1853 The Spot-nape butterflyfish (Chaetodon oxycephalus) is a marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, Sri Lanka to Queensland, north to the Philippines. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-24; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 18 - 20. Very similar to C. lineolatus but has a large black spot on the forehead. Body is white with a large black blotch on the upper posterior portion of the trunk and thin vertical lines on the sides. A black bar runs across the eye. The fins are bright yellow.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChaetodon oxycephalusFamilyChaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length25.0Depth range10–40 m (33–131 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 40 mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-Pacific: Sri Lanka to Queensland, north to the Philippines.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 nematopteraTwospined angelfishCentropyge bispinosaLemonpeel angelfishCentropyge flavissimaBicolor angelfishCentropyge bicolorPearlscale angelfishCentropyge vrolikiiSunburst butterflyfishChaetodon kleiniiSee 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