Diagonal butterflyfish swimming over bleached fire and Porites corals

Life on Pause: Underwater Pale Reefs.

In this video footage, diagonal butterflyfish swim gracefully over a reef structure, moving around both healthy and visibly bleached corals. The distinct black, yellow, and white patterns of the butterflyfish stand out against the pale surfaces of the corals, particularly highlighting areas of bleached fire corals and Porites. As the butterflyfish navigate through this underwater terrain, they interact with the reef, darting in and out of coral branches, while other small fish, less colorful but active, are also visible in the background. The overall scene is one of movement and contrast, as the lively colors and patterns of the fish bring energy to a reef undergoing environmental stress.

Closeup Shot of Butterflyfish Amidst Dying Coral Species.

Filmed in ultra-high-definition 4K and available in HD (1080p) resolution, this footage was captured with top-quality equipment, ensuring crisp clarity of fish and coral textures. Provided as free stock footage to raise awareness about coral bleaching, this video is available in both landscape (16:9) and vertical (9:16) formats for use on platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube Shorts, as well as widescreen displays. Its quality and versatility make it perfect for environmental campaigns, educational materials, and NGO initiatives focused on coral conservation and reef health.

Butterflyfish are among the most iconic coral reef dwellers, known for their close association with corals, as they often depend on them for both shelter and food. This family of fish, Chaetodontidae, includes about 129 species found mainly in tropical coral reefs across the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. Some butterflyfish species, like the chevron butterflyfish and redfin butterflyfish, are obligate corallivores, feeding primarily on coral polyps. This makes them highly sensitive to coral bleaching events, as the loss of coral habitat directly impacts their food supply and survival. When bleaching events occur, butterflyfish face significant challenges.