Ornate Butterflyfish

Photo: sea-kangaroo · CC BY-NC-ND

Ornate butterflyfish are among the most visually striking residents of Shark's Cove, their bold orange chevron stripes against white bodies making them instantly identifiable as they graze on coral polyps along the cove's inner walls. They form long-term monogamous pairs and defend feeding territories within the lava formations, making them reliable indicators of live coral cover and reef health.