HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishThreadfin butterflyfish Threadfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga) Scientific name: Chaetodon auriga Forssk?l, 1775 The Threadfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga) is a marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. BiologyMay be seen in a variety of habitats ranging from rich coral reefs to weedy and rubble covered areas. Benthopelagic. Maybe found singly, in pairs, and in aggregations that roam over large distances in search of food. Feed mainly by tearing pieces from polychaetes, sea anemones, coral polyps, and algae. Oviparous. Form pairs during breeding.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChaetodon aurigaFamilyChaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length23.0Depth range1–35 m (3–115 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 35 mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (extending to Mossel Bay, South Africa, ) to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe and Rapa islands.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K>1) More angelfish & butterflyfishPajama cardinalfishSphaeramia nematopteraEastern triangular butterflyfishChaetodon baronessaBluelashed butterflyfishChaetodon bennettiBurgess' butterflyfishChaetodon burgessiSpeckled butterflyfishChaetodon citrinellusSaddle butterflyfishChaetodon ephippiumSee 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