Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus)
Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Citron Butterflyfish or Lemon Butterflyfish are found throughout the Indo Pacific. Its range extends from the Red Sea, East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamotu islands; north to southern Japan and the Ogasawara Islands; and south to New South Wales (Australia) and Lord Howe Island.
Adult Speckled Butterflyfish are normally seen swimming in pairs among scattered corals in relatively open areas of the lagoons, exposed shallow reef flats, and seaward reefs of their range in depths from 3 to 35 feet feeding on filamentous algae, coral polyps, small worms, and benthic invertebrates. Although they have been reported grazing on sponges, crustaceans, anemones, urchin feet, soft and stony coral polyps, and other small invertebrates as deep as 120 feet, they are most often encountered in shallower depths as pairs or in small groups.
Juvenile Speckled Butterflyfish are frequently observed in small mixed aggregations of similar sized juveniles, especially Sunburst Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii).
Although closely related to the Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus), they bear little resemblance visually.
Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus)
Speckled Butterflyfish have a white to pale yellow oval shaped body covered with numerous small black dots. The head has a vertical black band that extends through the eye and the fins are mostly transparent, with a black margin along the anal fin. There are no obvious physical differences between males and females.
Speckled Butterflyfish are best housed in a mature FOWLR aquarium of at least 75 gallon capacity with a
Juvenile Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus)
sand or coralline substrate, sufficient live rock covered with micro and macroalgae growths arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide and graze among, and plenty of free swimming space.
Although many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts use Speckled Butterflyfish to eradicate infestations of glass anemones; their diet of soft and stony coral polyps, anemones, urchin feet, and small invertebrates makes them unsuitable for most reef aquariums.
Chaetodon citrinellus are peaceful and get along well with other peaceful species such as Clownfish, Surgeonfish, Banggai Cardinalfish, Firefish, Royal Gramma, Dottybacks, and other non-aggressive species.
Speckled Butterflyfish are susceptible to various diseases and require a well maintained aquarium to remain healthy. A good filtration system, protein skimmer, power head or wave maker, and regular water changes are mandatory.
Other than the fact that Speckled Butterflyfish are egg scatters that form distinct pairs, little is know of their breeding habits.
In their natural habitat, Citron Butterflyfish feed on sponges, crustaceans, anemones, urchin feet, soft and stony coral polyps, and other small invertebrates. In an aquarium environment with mature growths of micro and macroalgae, they are excellent browsers of filamentous algae and glass anemone. They should also be offered a varied diet of flake foods containing Spirulina, Nori, live fortified brine shrimp, black worms, and frozen meaty seafoods containing Mysis, shrimp, clams, etc. several times a day.
Adult Citron Butterflyfish are often finicky eaters. Clams or mussels on the half shell placed in the tank will often entice them to begin feeding until they grow accustomed to frozen Mysis and brine shrimp.
The Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus) is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1.5″ to 2″; Medium: 2″ to 3″; Large: 3″ to 4-1/2″. Prices for small specimens start at around $19.99, to $69.99 for Large specimens.
Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus)
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72°F to 82°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.026
Max size: 5.1″
Color Form: Black, White, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Not reef compatible
Origin: Indo Pacific, Hawaii, Africa
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
