Butterflyfish with a very versatile diet

During a dive at Moonvalley, on the Southwest of Mnemba atoll, a couple of Threadfin Butterflyfish were observed picking away at the little feet-like tentacles of a Graeffe's Sea-cucumber.

The sea cucumber retracted its many little feet as fast as he could but the butterflyfish both managed to pull off big chunks before they disappeared. Just after this the butterflyfish moved on to a Magnificent Anemone and started nibbling on its tentacles.

The residing Allard's Clownfish were not at all happy with those attackers and finally managed to chase them off, leaving the anemone with a couple of tentacles less.

Jan Christiaens

Posted: Mnemba Island by CC Africa, Date: 21 November 2006