FLUTTERING FISH … Around 15-20 feet deep in the Saint Martin’s Island, these Eight-banded butterfly fish were spotted foraging for food – coral polyps. Popular marine corallivores, butterfly fish have around 129 species and are found mostly on the reefs of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. What is fascinating about the Eight-banded butterfly fish is that its background colour depends on the environment inhabited by it – paler colour in clear waters and yellower in less clear water. The fish tend to stay in groups and if one is found travelling alone, it’s believed to be in search of a mate. Butterfly fish are one of the very few fish species who find a mate, and then hunt, live and travel together for life. While many people may prefer having these fish in their aquariums, it’s difficult to help them survive as they almost exclusively feed on coral polyps and may starve to death without them. PHOTO: SHARIF SARWAR
