The Biggest Butterflyfish in the World

Wordless Wednesday
Watery Wednesday

What: Lined Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lineolatus).
The largest butterflyfish species in the world, about 12 in (30 cm) long.

Where: I took this photo while diving at Honaunau Bay, Hawaii.


Lined Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lineolatus)
Click on the photo to enlarge.

28 comments:

  1. 2sweetnsaxyApril 21, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    I've always thought this was a beautiful fish. You couldn't have taken a better picture of it.
    :-)

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  2. MYMApril 21, 2009 at 7:16 PM

    Beautiful. He looks like he's in formal wear - for a high society doo! lol

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  3. tundratantrumApril 21, 2009 at 7:17 PM

    Very nice. I love these colorful fish.

    Spring is coming here to the arctic...slowly. Getting there.

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  4. StanApril 21, 2009 at 7:28 PM

    Your photography technique is excellent. The fish just pops out of the blue background.

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  5. catsynthApril 21, 2009 at 7:30 PM

    The contrast is amazing between the fish and the water: the colors, the texture and the focus.

    It's sometimes hard to tell scale in some of these images, so I would not have guessed the "biggest" without your caption.

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  6. allhorsestuffApril 21, 2009 at 7:48 PM

    That is gorgeous!

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  7. RobinApril 21, 2009 at 7:57 PM

    Beautiful. I've got a big smile on my face now.

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  8. AnonymousApril 21, 2009 at 8:14 PM

    Swimming to a party? :)
    Lovely as usual!

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  9. ShannonApril 21, 2009 at 9:27 PM

    Stunning fish. Wow! great picture.

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  10. TulipApril 22, 2009 at 2:32 AM

    beautiful fish enjoying his swimming.

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  11. antigoniApril 22, 2009 at 3:20 AM

    Its colours are so bright. That yellow colour is so "summer". And i like its mouth, too.

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  12. Beth FApril 22, 2009 at 4:39 AM

    Beautiful fish and beautiful shot. I love your photos.

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  13. nature ramblingsApril 22, 2009 at 5:24 AM

    That is an absolutely gorgeous photo. Couldn't be any better. I love the ocean and your shell pictures and stories are great and informative. Makes my little shell collection look pretty sorry. Not many shells on the beaches of Oregon. Thanks for sharing and I am sure to return often to learn about all the different shells. Happy Earth Day.

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  14. jams o donnellApril 22, 2009 at 7:24 AM

    Wow now that is just beautiful!

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  15. BNSApril 22, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    Thanks everyone.

    Several of you have commented on the contrast between the fishie and the background. That's harder to accomplish underwater than you might imagine, especially with a moving target like a fish. I can't tell you how many times I snapped the shutter and got a blurry fish AND a fuzzy background. :-D

    @ catsynth - You are right about the size issue. It's all relative: This is the largest Butterflyfish species, but there are many many kinds of fish that are much larger than the fishes in this family.

    @ nature ramblings - Your Oregon beaches may not have many shells, but they have nice agates and sea glass. Happy Earth Day to you, too.

    Bobbie

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  16. BimApril 22, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    That's just the perfect fish portrait!Great.

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  17. CarverApril 22, 2009 at 10:09 AM

    That's an amazing and beautiful fish. Great shot.

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  18. LoriApril 22, 2009 at 4:20 PM

    What a beautiful fish...I want one of those for our fishtank:) Happy WW and thanks for stopping by.

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  19. Laughing Orca RanchApril 22, 2009 at 5:49 PM

    Wow! It almost looks like it's flying! The water doesn't blur or smudge the details at all.
    Just stunning!

    ~Lisa
    New Mexico

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  20. WillApril 22, 2009 at 6:54 PM

    Beautiful shot! Interesting that the biggest in the world is still only 12 inches.

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  21. SandyCarlsonApril 23, 2009 at 9:32 AM

    That is a very beautiful fish. I wonder if he knows he's a hottie.

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  22. storytellerApril 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM

    Lovely underwater photo!
    Hugs and blessings,

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  23. Island StyleApril 23, 2009 at 7:54 PM

    Gorgeous photo in the deep blues..nice job

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  24. MojoApril 27, 2009 at 9:39 AM

    Always awesome Bobbie. Your photography in general is marvelous, but your underwater work just blows my mind.

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  25. BeckyApril 27, 2009 at 5:06 PM

    What a gorgeous fish, and how cool it must be to have it so close. Great picture.
    B.

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  26. A Free ManApril 28, 2009 at 12:48 AM

    What a handsome fellow!

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  27. Dianne - Bunny TrailsMay 6, 2009 at 7:29 PM

    What an amazing fish! I loved it in the enlarged version. The detail is so beautiful.

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  28. BNSMay 7, 2009 at 7:08 AM

    Thanks everyone. We always enjoy your feedback on the photos we post.

    Bobbie & Jerry

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We welcome your comments and invite your questions. Dialogue is a good thing!

Bobbie & Jerry