What family contains the butterflyfishes?

Butterflyfishes belong to the family Chaetodontidae.

Chaetodontidae is a family of colorful tropical marine fishes that includes butterflyfishes, bannerfishes, and coralfishes. Most live around coral reefs in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Their laterally compressed bodies, vivid patterns, and narrow snouts help them maneuver among corals and reach small prey or food attached to reef surfaces.

The family contains roughly 129 recognized species in about 12 genera, with Chaetodon among the best-known. Many species form pairs, and some feed heavily on coral polyps, while others take invertebrates, algae, or plankton. Their striking appearance explains why they are popular in marine aquariums, although specialized diets can make some difficult to maintain.

Butterflyfishes are often confused with angelfishes because the two groups can look similar. Angelfishes belong to Pomacanthidae and have a spine on the preopercle, near the gill cover; butterflyfishes lack that spine. Cichlidae contains freshwater cichlids, Scombridae includes mackerels and tunas, and Pomacentridae includes damselfishes, so none is the butterflyfish family.