Image 3-10
Bennett's Butterflyfish

This beautiful fish can easily be recognized by its distinct colors and markings. The Bennett's butterflyfish (Chaetodon bennetti) feeds primarily on coral polyps, and can be found throughout most of the Indo-Pacific regions from Japan to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The large black spot serves as a false eye to confuse would-be predators. This image was captured by NOAA photographers in the waters off the island of Fiji. This species grows to a length of 8 inches (20 centimeters).