Butterflies on the Beach
This morning, the shores were full of butterflies.
Butterflyfishes that is.
We regularly see the Copperbanded butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) on all our shores. This pretty fish is sometimes seen in a pair.
But it is not common to see the Kite butterflyfish (Parachaetodon ocellatus).
This morning, however, we saw lots and LOTS of them!
What is even more amazing is that they appeared to hover near Carpet anemones (Stichodactyla sp.). Carpet anemones will eat fishes, crabs and almost anything that gets trapped in their sticky tentacles. A few creatures like shrimps have been seen living safely among their tentacles, but I haven't heard or read about these butterflyfishes living in the same way with Carpet anemones.
We saw about 15 of these butterflyfishes swimming above two Carpet anemones.
Elsewhere in other pools were the same butterflyfishes, in twos or threes. This is the first time I've seen so many of them at the same time!
More Butterflyfish Facts...
False eyes: When seen sideways, the large ‘false eye’ on the dorsal fin of the butterflyfish fools predators into thinking that it is a big fish! And if a predator does attack it, the butterflyfish unexpectedly swims ‘backwards’. Its real eye is concealed by a colorful band. The flat body of the Butterflyfish makes it almost disappear when seen from above or head on. Being very flat, the butteflyfish can also slip into narrow cracks.
Long snout: Butterflyfishes nibble on or small creatures found on the bottom such as worms. Those with a long snout like the Copperbanded butterflyfish can probe crevices and other hiding places and uses the snout like a pair of chopsticks. Others use their shorter snouts to nip off soft food. Other Butterflyfishes may also eat sponges, fish eggs, plankton and small algae. The snout of a Butterflyfish has brush-like teeth: they belong to the Family Chaetodontidae -- 'Chaetodont' means 'bristle-tooth' in Greek.
Unfortunately, these were not the only flies we encountered on the shore...we were plagued by sandflies and other biting flying bugs. They were so thick at times we were choking on them as we breathed in.
At the same time, Tom had a disturbing First Sighting; see his entry on the Ubin Volunteers blog. Just when we thought it was safer in the Northern Shores and that these these creatures were only found in the Southern Shores...
In a few hours' time, we'll be out there again to discover more marvels on our shores.
Butterflyfishes that is.
We regularly see the Copperbanded butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) on all our shores. This pretty fish is sometimes seen in a pair.
But it is not common to see the Kite butterflyfish (Parachaetodon ocellatus).
This morning, however, we saw lots and LOTS of them!
What is even more amazing is that they appeared to hover near Carpet anemones (Stichodactyla sp.). Carpet anemones will eat fishes, crabs and almost anything that gets trapped in their sticky tentacles. A few creatures like shrimps have been seen living safely among their tentacles, but I haven't heard or read about these butterflyfishes living in the same way with Carpet anemones.
We saw about 15 of these butterflyfishes swimming above two Carpet anemones.
Elsewhere in other pools were the same butterflyfishes, in twos or threes. This is the first time I've seen so many of them at the same time!
More Butterflyfish Facts...
False eyes: When seen sideways, the large ‘false eye’ on the dorsal fin of the butterflyfish fools predators into thinking that it is a big fish! And if a predator does attack it, the butterflyfish unexpectedly swims ‘backwards’. Its real eye is concealed by a colorful band. The flat body of the Butterflyfish makes it almost disappear when seen from above or head on. Being very flat, the butteflyfish can also slip into narrow cracks.
Long snout: Butterflyfishes nibble on or small creatures found on the bottom such as worms. Those with a long snout like the Copperbanded butterflyfish can probe crevices and other hiding places and uses the snout like a pair of chopsticks. Others use their shorter snouts to nip off soft food. Other Butterflyfishes may also eat sponges, fish eggs, plankton and small algae. The snout of a Butterflyfish has brush-like teeth: they belong to the Family Chaetodontidae -- 'Chaetodont' means 'bristle-tooth' in Greek.
Unfortunately, these were not the only flies we encountered on the shore...we were plagued by sandflies and other biting flying bugs. They were so thick at times we were choking on them as we breathed in.
At the same time, Tom had a disturbing First Sighting; see his entry on the Ubin Volunteers blog. Just when we thought it was safer in the Northern Shores and that these these creatures were only found in the Southern Shores...
In a few hours' time, we'll be out there again to discover more marvels on our shores.
2 Comments:
Hi Ria,
Wow, that would have been quite a sight. Which shore was this? Either way, a fantastic find and very good news for our shores in fact. Butterflyfish are considered indicator species on coral reefs, so the fact that you've encountered so many juveniles (they are juvenile ones that you found right?) bodes well for our reefs I think.
Cheers,
Siti
Siti! You should have seen them! It was on CJ. And I've never seen anything like this before.
It's nice to know they are indicative of good conditions.
I guess they are juveniles as they were about 5-6cm long.
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