Bahamas Banded Butterflyfish

There are many varieties of fish that a person might come across in the Bahamas, and Bahamas Snorkel Tours is a great way to encounter them. One such fish is the Banded Butterflyfish. This species is known to be peaceful and get along well with other reef fish. These fish get their name from the white and black vertical bands on their body. One must keep in mind, though, that a juvenile Banded Butterflyfish is colored differently - they have a brownish-yellow base instead of white. An adult Banded Butterflyfish is 15 centimeters in length, with a short snout and and a vertically flattened squarish disk-shaped body. Juvenile Banded Butterflyfish are less than 12 centimeters in length and have a large ringed spot at the base of their fins that acts as a false-eye to confuse predators. These fish are often seen in male/female pairs. They may be monogamous throughout their life. The courtship between two Banded Butterflyfish is drawn out and energetic - they can often be seen chasing one another around a reef or dancing in order to impress their mate.

One reason it is likely that a traveler may see a Banded Butterflyfish while working with Bahamas Snorkel Tours is the quick rate at which they reproduce. This is what makes them so common: Their minimum population doubling rate is less than 15 months. The female can lay up to 4,000 eggs at once, and the eggs hatch within one day. The Banded Butterflyfish enjoys water that is 78 degrees in temperature. They are most often found in shallow reef waters and are most active during the day. Perhaps what's most interesting is their unique lifespan. The fish lives for up to ten years, which is sometimes an eternity in the animal kingdom.

If a person is going on a snorkeling tour of the Bahamas, they may be lucky enough to encounter some of these fish. Their overall characteristics make them easy to spot during a tour. This includes their unique color pattern and temperament. They live at a depth of as low as ten feet; they also are not targeted by fishermen so their population isn't adversely impacted. If a snorkeler comes across one, there's no need for panic - although they are carnivorous, they are not hostile towards people. A snorkeler may see the fish react with caution, though, since they are considered prey by many larger species of fish.

Overall, there is an uncountable amount of different types of fish that live in the Bahamas. A snorkeler is just as likely to see a Banded Butterflyfish as they are to see possibly dozens of other species. Getting to see the Banded Butterflyfish is a real treat, though. Their color patterns are delightful to observe, as well as how they interact with one another. Because of this, the Banded Butterflyfish should be on any vacationer's to-see list while in the Bahamas.