The Top Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus), also known as the banded butterflyfish, is a strikingly patterned reef fish native to the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Recognizable by its vertical black bands and laterally compressed body, this species inhabits coral reefs where it feeds primarily on small invertebrates. While not a major target of commercial fisheries, the banded butterflyfish is occasionally collected for the ornamental aquarium trade. The primary countries involved in harvesting this species are those bordering the Caribbean, notably the Bahamas, Cuba, and Jamaica, where small-scale fishers and exporters supply the global aquarium market. Due to its ecological importance in reef systems and relatively low commercial value, most countries regulate its collection to prevent overexploitation and to preserve reef biodiversity.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.