The Butterfly Perch is a common fish, and is found in temperate waters around rocky reefs in New Zealand. It is in the same family as groupers (hapuka).
This pretty little fish is a schooling species, that grows to around 30cm or 1' in length.
The Butterfly Perch is usually a pinkish colour with a dark blotch on the body. The pectoral fins are approximately the same length as the head. The Adults develop spots, pale blue fin margins and a blue band behind the eye.
The Butterfly Perch forms large combined groups in deeper water which are exposed to continual strong tidal water movement. This is where where it feeds mostly on microscopic animal life and zooplankton, normally in the lower part of the water column.
The areas of reef where these little fish are usually found are covered with lots of colourful sponges and gorgonian corals, and with the combination of pink fish it makes a visual spectacle when diving.
At night they can be seen sleeping in shallow depressions and rock crevices on the reef, and are replaced by schools of Barber Perch that are of similar appearance.