Chaetodon capistratus

Butterfly fishes are deep-bodied and thin from side to side, with a single dorsal fin and a small mouth with tiny, bristle like teeth. The butterfly fish mates for life and therefore you will often see two of them.

The butterfly fish is also known as "four-eye" due to a large, dark spot on the rear portion of each side of the body. This spot is surrounded by a brilliant white ring resembling a false eye. A black, vertical bar on the head runs down the true eye, making it more nondescript and may result in a predator confusing the back end of the fish for the front end. The four-eye's first instinct when threatened is to flee, putting the false eye spot closer to the predator than the head. Most predators aim for the eyes, and this false eye spot tricks the predator into thinking that the four-eye will flee tail first.

When escape is not possible, the four-eye will sometimes turn to face its aggressor, head lowered and spines fully erect, like a bull about to charge. This may serve to intimidate the other animal or may remind the predator that the butterfly is much too spiny to make a tasty meal.

Butterfly fishes usually frequent shallow inshore waters, where they feed on a variety of crustaceans and coral polyps.

The Parche is known for its uncanny ability for swimming in and around coral heads and reefs. The fish is able to find it’s way through the most intricate passages by swimming on its side or upside down.