HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishZanzibar butterflyfish Zanzibar butterflyfish (Chaetodon zanzibarensis) Scientific name: Chaetodon zanzibarensis Playfair, 1867 The Zanzibar butterflyfish (Chaetodon zanzibarensis) is a marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, East Africa south to Durban, South Africa. Also found in oceanic islands. BiologyDorsal spines: 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays: 15-17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15 - 17. Black spot with white or bluish edges on its sides.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChaetodon zanzibarensisFamilyChaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length12.0Depth range3–40 m (10–131 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 40 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Indian Ocean: East Africa south to Durban, South Africa. Also found in oceanic 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 nematopteraAfrican butterflyfishChaetodon dolosusCocos-Keeling angelfishCentropyge coliniOrangeback angelfishCentropyge acanthopsBlackedged angelfishGenicanthus watanabeiSpotbreast angelfishGenicanthus melanospilosSee 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