Blacknosed Butterflyfish

Family: Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae)
Size: Up to 20 cm (8 in)
Depth: 6 – 12m (20 – 40ft)
Distribution: Eastern Pacific (Gulf of California to Galapagos).

Identification:
A distinctive yellow and white fish with a "bandit" appearance.

• Coloration: The body is silvery-white with a bright yellow rim. Its defining feature is the black mask covering the nose and eyes, along with a black band across the forehead and dorsal fin.
• The "Barber": Also known as the Barberfish, they are famous for gathering in large schools to form cleaning stations, where they pick parasites and dead skin off larger fish (like Groupers and Hammerheads).

Behavior:
Cheeky and intelligent opportunists.

• Ulterior Motives: They often follow divers closely. While it seems friendly, they are actually using the diver's large size to scare away damselfish (like the Sergeant Major). Once the damselfish flees, the Butterflyfish swoops in to eat their undefended eggs!
• Social: Unlike many butterflyfish that live in pairs, this species is often found in large, active schools in shallow waters.