The Foureye Butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) is a small, colorful reef fish recognized by its distinctive false eye spot near the tail and vertical black bar through the eye, commonly found in the warm, shallow waters of the Western Atlantic, particularly around coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea. While this species is not targeted by large-scale commercial fisheries for food, it is highly sought after in the ornamental aquarium trade. The top countries involved in the collection and export of Foureye Butterflyfish are primarily those with access to Caribbean coral reefs, including the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. In these nations, the aquarium fishery industry provides economic opportunities for local fishers, who collect butterflyfish and other reef species for export to global markets, especially in North America, Europe, and Asia. Sustainable management practices are increasingly emphasized to protect reef ecosystems and ensure the long-term viability of both the species and the livelihoods dependent on them.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.