Four-Eye Butterflyfish

The Four-Eye Butterflyfish is one of the most recognizable and commonly encountered butterflyfish species in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic. Its most distinctive feature is a large, dark false eyespot ringed in white near the base of the tail, which serves to confuse predators about the fish's orientation and direction of travel. The body is pale gray to yellowish with a series of fine dark chevron lines radiating outward from the center, and a true black eye band passes through the actual eye.

This species is a moderate-difficulty aquarium fish that can be successfully maintained with proper care and a well-established system. It typically adapts to captive conditions better than many butterflyfish, especially when provided with ample live rock and a varied diet. Newly imported specimens may be hesitant to feed initially, but most can be enticed with live brine shrimp or blackworms before transitioning to frozen preparations.

The Four-Eye Butterflyfish is not reef safe and will readily pick at coral polyps, anemones, tube worms, and other sessile invertebrates. It thrives in fish-only or FOWLR setups and is best kept singly, as it can be territorial toward conspecifics and other butterflyfish. Despite its coral-nipping habits, this is a peaceful species that coexists well with most community fish.