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Lemon Butterflyfish

Chaetodon miliaris
A lemon butterflyfish in a vibrant teal background of an out of focus reef

Lemon Butterflyfish

Chaetodon miliaris
Other Common Names
Millet Butterflyfish
At the Aquarium
Connected Coasts
Other Common Names
Millet Butterflyfish

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

The lemon butterflyfish has a yellow body with vertical lines of small seed-sized black spots.

The lemon butterflyfish has a black band through its eye and a black spot near its tail.

The lemon butterflyfish can grow to lengths of 6.5 inches.

Habitat

Coastal fringing reefs, lagoons and outer reefs to depths of at least 250m

Diet

Zooplankton, benthic invertebrates (especially polychaete worms) and fish eggs (particularly those of damselfishes)

Life History

Lemon butterflyfish may form large groups and spawn in groups from January through May. Fertilized eggs of the lemon butterflyfish are small, transparent and spherical. Fertilized eggs float and drift in ocean currents before hatching and beginning their larval stage.

They then grow into juvenile lemon butterflyfish that are found on shallow inner reefs from April to June. Lemon butterflyfish can begin reproducing once they reach about 3.5 inches in length, at roughly one year of age.

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Lemon butterflyfish are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, meaning they are unique to that area and are only found there. Due to this they are crucial for maintaining the biodiversity of the Hawaiian Islands.
Range
This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll.
On the Oregon Coast
This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.
Fun Facts
The lemon butterflyfish is the most abundant butterflyfish in the Hawaiian Islands.

The Hawaiian name for this species is lau wiliwili. This refers to the fish’s body shape which resembles the leaf of the wiliwili tree and the color of yellow the leaf becomes when it drops from the tree.

Citations & Other Resources

  • cello, Chaetodon miliaris 343604213, CC BY 4.0
  • Pyle, R. and M.T. Craig. 2010. Chaetodon miliaris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010.
  • Degidio, J. L. A., R.P.E. Yanong, C.A. Watson, C.L. Ohs, E.J. Cassiano and K. Barden. 2017. Spawning, Embryology, and Larval Development of the Milletseed Butterflyfish Chaetodon miliaris in the Laboratory. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 79(3), 205–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/15222055.2017.1302025
  • Waikiki Aquarium. n.d. Milletseed Butterflyfish. University of Hawaiʻi. https://www.waikikiaquarium.org/experience/animal-guide/fishes/butterflyfishes/milletseed-butterflyfish/
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    Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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