Reef fish

Masked Butterflyfish

Chaetodon semilarvatus
LC· Least concernCaution

A signature Red Sea endemic, this bright lemon-yellow butterflyfish wears a blue-grey 'mask' over its eye and fine orange chevrons on its flanks. Almost always seen in faithful pairs, it shelters under table corals by day. Its calm, slow drifting makes it a favourite subject for underwater photographers.

Size (typical)
0.18–0.23 mm
Depth range
IUCN status
LC
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Diver safety
Maintain distance · do not advance.

Where to see it

26 sites
Dahab
Abu Talha
ModerateYear-round
Dahab
Bannerfish Bay
ModerateYear-round
Dahab
Bells
ModerateYear-round
Dahab
Golden Blocks
ModerateYear-round
Dahab
Islands
ModerateYear-round
Dahab
Ras Abu Helal
ModerateYear-round
El Gouna
El Fanadir South
HighYear-round
El Gouna
Siyul Soraya (Small Siyul)
HighYear-round
Hamata
Abu Galawa Soraya
HighYear-round
Hurghada
Gota Abu Ramada (The Aquarium)
HighYear-round
Marsa Alam
Abu Dabbab III (Erg)
HighYear-round
Marsa Alam
Marsa Egla (Coral Garden)
HighYear-round
Nuweiba
Abu Lou Lou (Hilton House Reef)
ModerateYear-round
Safaga
Canyon Reef (Sharm El Naga)
HighYear-round
Safaga
Gamul Kebir
ModerateYear-round
Safaga
Shaab Claude
ModerateYear-round
Safaga
Sharm El Naga
HighYear-round
Sharm El-Sheikh
Far Garden
HighYear-round
Sharm El-Sheikh
Middle Garden
HighYear-round
Sharm El-Sheikh
Tower
HighYear-round
St John's
Umm Aruk
HighYear-round
Strait of Gubal
Sha'ab Ali
HighYear-round
Taba
Aquarium
HighYear-round
Taba
Marsa El Muqabila
HighYear-round
Taba
Shab Ghamila (Radisson Reef)
HighYear-round
Taba
Zak's Tables
HighYear-round
Verified sightings · last 12 months

Sighting history

Peak: Jan / Jun / Jul
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