Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium)
Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Saddled Butterflyfish or Saddle Butterflyfish is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans from Sri Lanka and the Cocos-Keeling Islands to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamotu islands, north to southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals and New South Wales in Australia.
Adult Saddleback Butterflyfish are usually encountered singly, in pairs, and in small groups in the coral rich lagoons and seaward reefs of their range at depths to over 130 feet where they feed on coral polyps, filamentous algae, small invertebrates, and fish eggs.
Juvenile Saddled Butterflyfish are more solitary and are usually encountered singly in shallower inshore waters.
Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium) along with the Lined Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lineolatus) are giants among their genus growing to almost 12 inches in length. Both benthopelagic species that look more like angelfish than their butterflyfish cousins.
Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium)
Saddleback Butterflyfish have a light yellowish gray body color with a large black saddle like blotch edged with a broad white band below, on the back . They have several wavy horizontal light blue gray lines that start at the lateral area and progress below the body. The mouth, lower cheek, throat, and lower outline of the ventral fin is a bright yellow, and the translucent caudal fin is edged in yellow. Adults have a trailing filament that extends from the rear of the dorsal fin.
Saddleback Butterflyfish do best in a mature FOWLR aquarium of at least 150 gallon capacity with a crushed coralline or sand substrate, good amounts of live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among and plenty of free swimming space. This species is NOT reef safe and will eat most species of stony corals, a few soft corals, and any invertebrates that inhabit the live rock in the tank.
Because Chaetodon ephippium are sensitive to fluctuations in water quality; excellent water quality is a must. An efficient filtration system, protein skimmer, and wave maker is recommended to keep them healthy.
Saddleback Butterflyfish should not be housed with other butterflyfish species unless they are introduced as a mated pair. They get along with other peaceful fish of similar size and temperament in the same tank, but will usually become aggressive towards other Butterflies with a similar pattern or color, especially when housed in smaller aquariums.
Saddled Butterflyfish have not been bred in an aquarium environment.
Saddled Butterflyfish form pairs during breeding and are believed to be monogamous. Pairs will normally spawn in the water column during the day. The eggs hatch out into active larvae at night. Both social and obligate mating has been observed in their natural environment in the Society Islands of French Polynesia.
In their natural habitat, Saddleback Butterflyfish feed on a variety of soft and stony corals, filamentous algae, fish eggs, and small invertebrates. In an aquarium environment, they should be provided a varied, balanced diet of fresh and frozen meaty foods like Mysis Shrimp, Cyclop-eeze, Zooplankton, chopped krill, clams, mussels, Angelfish preparations, flake foods containing Spirulina or Nori, and high quality marine omnivore pellets. Feeding small portions several times a day is recommended.
Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online suppliers and specialty fish shops at prices that vary according to size and area of collection.
Approximate purchase sizes for Chaetodon ephippium: Small: 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″; Medium: 2-1/4″ to 3 1/2″; Large: 3 1/2″ to 4 1/2″; XLarge 4 1/2″ to 6″
Currently retail prices for Indonesian specimens start at around $99.99 for medium size specimens.
Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium)
Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 72°F to 79°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 11.8″
Color Form: Black, Blue, Orange, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Not reef compatable
Origin: Indo Pacific
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
