Based on the provided information, certain types of butterfly fish, such as the Spotfin butterflyfish, have a diet consisting of marine invertebrates.
Diet of the Spotfin Butterflyfish
The specific reference details the diet of the Spotfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellatus), a common species found in the Atlantic Ocean. These fish are known to be carnivores, feeding primarily on small marine animals.
Their diet includes:
- Anemones
- Soft corals
- Tube worms
- Other small marine invertebrates
This type of diet is typical for many butterflyfish species, which often specialize in consuming specific types of invertebrates found on coral reefs and rocky substrates.
About the Spotfin Butterflyfish
The Spotfin butterflyfish is a relatively small species, growing to about 8 inches (approximately 20 cm) in length. According to the reference, this species is currently not considered threatened.
Juvenile Spotfin butterflyfish face different challenges than adults. They frequently seek shelter in seagrass beds, which provide cover. However, these shallow areas are also hunting grounds for various predators, meaning many young fish are eaten in these environments.