This species is found in the Western Atlantic from Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda to the West Indies and northern South America.

[4] Foureye butterflyfish are deep-bodied and laterally compressed, with a single dorsal fin and a small mouth with tiny, bristle-like teeth.

The foureye butterflyfish's first instinct when threatened is to flee, putting the false eye spot closer to the predator than the head.

[5] When escape is not possible, a foureye butterflyfish will sometimes turn to face its aggressor, head lowered and spines fully erect, like a bull about to charge.

Foureye butterflyfish usually frequent shallow inshore waters, where they feed on a variety of invertebrates, mainly zoantharians, sea anemones, scleractinians,[6] polychaete worms, gorgonians, tunicates, crustaceans and fish eggs.