Blacknosed Butterflyfish

Chaetodontidae, Fish Family, Fish Identification

Johnrandallia nigrirostris 

The cheeky, intelligent Blacknosed butterflyfish might seem as if they want to swim with and around you, following you as you enter the underwater world… However, they tend to have alterior motives when following divers, using them as camouflage in efforts to eat the eggs of Sergent Major fish. As divers get closer to explore the reef, Sergent Major fish usually shy away, leaving their nest of eggs exposed. This makes lunchtime an easy task for the Black-Nosed Butterfly fish when divers are in the area.

The Blacknosed Butterflyfish also go by the name Barberfish, hanging out in corals and rocky reefs between 6 and 12 meters in large schools making them a sight divers of all abilities are able to see.

In their large schools they tend to form cleaning stations and maintain a symbiotic relationship with other fish where eating crustaceans and paracites off the skin of bigger fish.

These particular butterflyfish are found in abundance throughout the Pacific, and are a common sighting all year round when diving in Bahía Solano as a result of their love for tropical waters.

Photos blacknosed butterflyfish | Ankla Azul
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Common information about Blacknosed butterflyfish

  • 📇 Common Names: Blacknosed butterflyfish, Barber fish
  • 🔬 Scientific Name: Johnrandallia nigrirostris
  • 🐟 Family: Chaetodontidae
  • 🏋️‍♀️ Weight: unknown
  • 📏 Length: Usually around 5 inches, however, adults can grow up to 8 inches or 20.3 cm
  • 📍 Chance to see in Bahia Solano (Very High)
photo blacknosed butterflyfish | Ankla Azul
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🧜‍♂️ Habitat: East Pacific from the Gulf of California South to the Galápagos. It is usually found in shallow waters in coral reefs and rocky areas between 6 and 12 meters.

🥙 Diet: Algae, molluscs, they pec small parasites, worms and crustaceans off the skin of other, bigger fish.

⛽️ Fun Fact: They like to eat the eggs of Sergeant Major fish when they are given the opportunity and will follow divers in order to do so.

photo blacknosed butterflyfish | Ankla Azul

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photo blacknosed butterflyfish | Ankla Azul
photo blacknosed butterflyfish | Ankla Azul
UNDERSTANDING MARINE BIODIVERSITY

The Significance of Fish Identification

Identifying fish species, such as the Spotted Boxfish in Bahia Solano, is crucial for marine conservation and research in the East Pacific Colombian Ocean. At Ankla Azul Bahia Solano Diving Center, our dedicated efforts in cataloging fish varieties help in preserving their habitats and understanding ecological dynamics. This knowledge is vital for developing strategies that protect these marine environments against threats and ensure their sustainability for future generations.

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Discover the vital role you can play in safeguarding the marine life of Bahia Solano. By learning more about our fish identification projects, including the Spotted Boxfish, you help us enhance our understanding and protection of these unique species.

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Photografer of this fish

Jalvan _ Ankla Azul

Ja lvan

 

Insturctor & photografer
Ankla Azul Team

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