HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishSunset butterflyfish Sunset butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis) Scientific name: Chaetodon pelewensis Kner, 1868 The Sunset butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis) is a marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. Native range: Pacific Ocean, Australia to Fiji, Samoa, Tuamoto Archipelago and the Society Islands. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-25; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 17 - 18. Body is pale tan with oblique rows of black spots, becoming solid bands on the upper half of the body. A dark-edged orange bar runs vertically on the head through the eye. Orange caudal peduncle.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChaetodon pelewensisFamilyChaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length12.5Depth range1–30 m (3–98 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 mClimateTropicalDistributionPacific Ocean: Australia to Fiji, Samoa, Tuamoto Archipelago and the Society Islands.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 nematopteraBlackstriped angelfishGenicanthus lamarckBlueblotch butterflyfishChaetodon plebeiusRainford's butterflyfishChaetodon rainfordiYellow-dotted butterflyfishChaetodon seleneThree-striped butterflyfishChaetodon tricinctusSee 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