Four-Eye Butterfly Fish

A pair of Four-Eye Butterfly Fish swim in a Florida Keys reef.

The interesting markings of a four-eye butterfly fish give the illusion they have more than one pair of eyes. This ingenious stroke of nature helps the fish escape predators who often mistake the eye markings near the tail as the head of the fish. These Western Atlantic dwellers, also known by their scientific name as , prefer shallow waters near the shore.

Due to the nature of its thin body, the four-eye butterfly fish can easily navigate coral reefs, turning even sideways or upside down as they dart in and out. They have short bristly teeth and dine frequently on zoantharians, polychaete worms, tunicates and gorgonians. Their coloring is typically light grey with some yellow undertones.

The four-eye butterfly fish is also equipped with spines that can stand up when it is in a defensive position. These fish are usually spotted in pairs as they stay together as mates for life.

Text source: Wikipedia under Creative Commons license.

Other text reference: http://life-sea.blogspot.ca/2011/07/life-of-four-eye-butterflyfish.html

Photo credit: NOAA

© Copyright Vince Capone 2013