Meyer’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon meyeri)

Meyer’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon meyeri) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Scrawled Butterflyfish or Maypole Butterflyfish is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish are found along the eastern coast of Africa from Somalia to Durban, and across the Indian and Pacific Oceans as far east as the Line Islands and Hawaii. Their range extends north to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and Tonga.   Specimens have also been recorded around Micronesia, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, and the Revillagigedo Islands of Mexico in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish are obligate corrallivores that are mostly encountered in pairs in the clear lagoons and seaward reefs of their range among rich growths of Acropora corals at depths between 6 to over 80 feet. The shy and more solitary juvenile Meyer’s Butterflyfish can normally be found sheltering among branching Acropora corals in shallower depths.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish are closely related to the Mailed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon reticulatus) and the Ornate Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ornatissimus).

Meyer’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon meyeri)

Meyer’s Butterflyfish have a bluish white to off white body color with black diagonal bars along the flanks that curve towards the rear and yellow edged black bars that run through the eye, on the snout, and around the mouth. The pectoral fins are yellow, and the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are edged in yellow and black.

Maypole Butterflyfish CAN be housed in an aged FOWLR aquarium of at least 125 gallon capacity with a sand or fine coralline substrate, plenty of mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among and a lot of free swimming space.

However, because live corals are essential to the survival of this species, they are BEST housed in a large reef tank heavily populated with Acropora corals. Obviously, extensive destruction of corals can be expected if a substitute food source is not accepted.

Because they are shy, peaceful, and territorial in their natural habitat; Scrawled Butterflyfish are best housed singly or as pairs. They will stake out a large territory in the tank and usually become aggressive towards members of their own species as well as other tankmates for food.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish have not been bred in an aquarium environment. They are oviparous and breed in pairs.

In their natural habitat, Chaetodon meyeri feed exclusively on Acropora coral mucus and the polyps, which makes them extremely difficult to acclimate into an aquarium environment. Adults are usually reluctant to accept substitutes for stony corals however juveniles may accept vitamin enriched live brine shrimp, clams, or mashed up shrimp and squid pushed into a bleached stony coral skeleton.

After they begin feeding they will usually eat a varied diet of Mysis shrimp, crustacean flesh, and frozen carnivore preparations. Feeding 3 or more times a day is recommended.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon meyeri) are available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes from the Indian Ocean: Small: 1″ to 1.5″ $89.99; Medium: over 1.5″ to 3.5″ $99.99; Large: over 3.5″to 5.5″ $109.99.

Prices vary widely according to size and area of collection.

Meyer’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon meyeri)

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 75°F to 82°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 7.9″
Color Form: White, Black, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Not reef compatible
Origin: Indo Pacific
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Experienced

Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus) Pair

Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus), known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Fourspotted Butterflyfish or Four-spot Butterfly is found in Australia, Indonesia, and the East and Central/West Pacific Oceans.

Their range extends from the Ryukyus, Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands and Taiwan, to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Pitcairn islands; south to the Samoan and Austral Islands; and in Micronesia, the Marshalls and Marianas.

Fourspot Butterflyfish are not commonly seen in the aquarium trade.   They are a shy, peaceful, benthopelagic species that are normally encountered as solitary specimens except during the breeding season when they are found in pairs, almost exclusively along the exposed seaward reefs of their range, at depths to 150 feet where they feed on coral polyps, algae, small crustaceans, zooplankton, and other invertebrates.

Although Chaetodon quadrimaculatus have been encountered at depths of over 100 feet, they are more commonly found feeding on Pocillopora coral polyps in shallower depths from 6 to around 50 feet.

Although closely related to the Speckled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus), Fourspot Butterflyfish bear little resemblance to them visually.

Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus)

Fourspot Butterflyfish have a yellow body color and a black back with two white spots on each side. They have a yellow mouth, a vertical brownish yellow eye band edged with thin black and white bands, and yellow dorsal, anal, pelvic, and caudal fins. There are no obvious physical differences between males and females.

Fourspot Butterflyfish are best housed in a mature FOWLR aquarium of at least 120 gallon capacity with a 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.

Because their primary diet consists of LPS, SPS, soft corals, crustaceans, and tubeworms; Chaetodon quadrimaculatus are not considered reef safe and are unsuitable for most reef aquariums.

Fourspot Butterflyfish are generally shy and peaceful, but can become territorial with conspecifics or similarly colored species, especially when their tank is to small.   Multiple specimens can be added simultaneously to large aquariums.

Fourspot Butterflyfish do best in an aged FOWLR tank as a pair, or with other non aggressive species such as Clownfish, Surgeonfish, Banggai Cardinalfish, Firefish, Royal Gramma, Dottybacks, etc.

Like other butterflyfish species, they require a well maintained aquarium to remain healthy.   A good filtration system, protein skimmer, and wave maker along with regular water changes are mandatory.

The Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus) has not been bred in an aquarium environment. They are egg scatterers that breed in monogamous pairs. When ready to spawn, the female releases her eggs into the water column where the male simultaneously fertilizes them. In a day or so, the small buoyant eggs hatch out into pelagic tholichthys larvae that float among the plankton field and ultimately settle directly on the coral reefs where they are protected until they develop into juveniles. This pelagic phase makes it extremely difficult to breed them in aquariums.

In their natural environment, Fourspot Butterflyfish feed primarily on cauliflower coral polyps, LPS, SPS, soft corals, a variety of macro and micro algae, zooplankton, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates. In an aquarium environment they tend to be shy and are often reluctant to feed until acclimated.

Live foods, live rock encrusted with invertebrates and algae, and lush growths of filamentous algae are a big plus in acclimating this species to get a feeding response.

Once eating, they will eat a variety of meaty and algae based preparations including fresh chopped fish flesh, Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, frozen omnivore preparations, etc. A varied diet should be fed a minimum of 3 times per day to keep them healthy.

Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus) are not commonly seen in the aquarium trade however, they are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Hawaiin Small: 1.5″to 2″ $54.99; Medium: over 2″ to 3″ $64.99; Large: over 3″ to 4.5″ $89.99.

Fourspot Butterflyfish (Chaetodon quadrimaculatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 72°F to 78°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 6.3″
Color Form: Black, White, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Not reef compatible
Origin: Indo Pacific
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 8 – 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

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

Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus)

The Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Black-backed Butterflyfish, Melannotus Butterflyfish or Blackback Butterflyfish is widespread through the Indo-Pacific region. It’s range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, northward to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island, and throughout Micronesia.

The Black Back Butterflyfish is an oviparous reef dwelling species that are normally encountered alone and (during the spring and early summer breeding season) in pairs, among dense thickets of staghorn corals of the seaward reefs, lagoons, and reef flats of their range, at depths from 9 to over 65 feet, where they are often observed feeding on soft and hard corals.

Although adult Black Back Butterflyfish are seldom seen on the exposed parts of the reefs, they occasionally team up with Melon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon Trifaciatus) to feed across the reef in small groups.   Juveniles are commonly seen in pairs and in small schools grazing on octocorallian and scleractinian coral polyps closer inshore.

Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus)

Black Back Butterflyfish, known as Melannotus Butterflyfish, have a white body color with a black back and oblique black lines along the sides, a yellow face with a vertical black eye band, and yellow fins. There is a black spot just in front of the anal fin on the lower body and a black patch on the caudal peduncle.

Chaetodon melannotus have the ability to change color when encountered at night or when frightened.   Except for two white patches,

Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus)

the upper portion of their body turns black.

The Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) appears to be a close relative of the Spot-tailed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellicaudus) and somewhat less so to the Yellow-dotted Butterflyfish (Chaetodon selene).   All are oval shaped, silvery with ascending diagonal stripes, have yellow fins and snouts, and are common among dense growths of staghorn corals.

Black Back Butterflyfish are best housed in an established FOWLR aquarium of at least 120 gallon capacity with a coralline or sandy substrate, sufficient mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide and graze among, and plenty of free swimming space.

Because of their specialized diet of coral polyps, this species is not considered reef safe.

Chaetodon melannotus are peaceful and get along well with other non aggressive species like Clownfish (Ocellaris Clownfish), Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto), Firefish (Nemateleotris spp.), Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni), Orchid Dottybacks (Pseudochromis fridmani), and Dwarf Angelfish.

Although the Black Back Butterflyfish is generally peaceful, they can exhibit territorial behavior towards conspecifics or similar looking species, especially in smaller systems. Only one should be kept per tank unless a proven pair can be obtained.

Black Back Butterflyfish have not been successfully bred in a home aquarium environment.

Chaetodon melannotus are shy and solitary except during the spring and early summer breeding season when water temperatures warm up to the 82 to 84 F. range. They are egg scatters that form distinct pairs. When the female swells up with eggs, a brief spawning ritual takes place and she scatters her small, buoyant, spherical eggs into the water column with the male immediately fertilizing the eggs.

The buoyant eggs hatch out in 28 to 30 hours into pelagic tholichthys larvae that float among the plankton field for quite some time until they develop into juveniles. The hatched eggs develop a bony plate over the head area that protects them as larvae. This pelagic phase makes it extremely difficult to breed them in aquariums.

In their natural environment, Melannotus Butterflyfish feed primarily on octocorallian and scleractinian coral polyps, tubeworms, and occasionally small invertebrates. In an aquarium environment they will eat a variety of meaty preparations including fresh marine fish, Mysis shrimp, crustacean flesh, brine shrimp, and frozen carnivore preparations. A varied diet should be fed a minimum of 3 times per day to keep them healthy.

The Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1″ to 2-1/4″; Medium: 2-1/4″ to 3-1/2″; Large: 3-1/2″ to 4-1/2″. Small specimens start at around $ 49.99.

Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus)

Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 75°F to 82°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 6″
Color Form: Black, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Not reef compatible
Origin: Indo Pacific
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 20 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Golden Head Sleeper (Valenciennea strigata)

Golden Head Sleeper Goby (Valenciennea strigata) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Pennant Glider, Yellowheaded Sleeper, Blue Cheek Goby, Blueband Sleeper, Bluestreak, or Yellowheaded Sleeper Goby is native to the western Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The Golden Head Sleeper Goby is commonly found in and around the burrows that they dig in the outer lagoons and the seaward reefs of their range at depths from 3 to over 80 feet where they feed on organisms that they sift from the substrate.

The Golden Head Sleeper Goby is almost always found close to the burrows that they excavate in sand, hard bottom, and rubble where they take refuge from predators and use as nesting sites. Their burrows typically have two entrances of which only one is visible. The second entrance is normally hidden under the sand, rubble, or covered by algae.

Although the Golden Head Sleeper Goby has been encountered as deep as 80 feet or more; Valenciennea strigata are most commonly collected at depths less than 20 feet.

Golden Head Sleeper (Valenciennea strigata)

The Golden Head Sleeper Goby has an off white body color and a yellow-gold head with a bright sapphire blue stripe below the eyes.

The Yellowheaded Sleeper Goby is best housed in a mature reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 55 gallon capacity with a deep base of live sand in most areas of the tank and plenty of live rock for them to meander and feed among. This species does best in tanks with an attached, well populated refugium to promote healthy populations of micro fauna.

Because Valenciennea strigata do not pick at or eat corals or other sessile invertebrates, they are considered reef safe. However, although their sand sifting feeding nature oxygenates the substrate in reef tanks, it can be problematic to corals.   Blue Cheek gobies like to excavate their burrows underneath live rock and the base of corals.  As they feed they expel the sand that they sift through their gills while in motion, were it can end up falling on delicate corals.

Yellowheaded Sleeper Gobies have a tendency to jump when startled and should be provided with a well sealed canopy.

Unless Valenciennea strigata are housed as a mated pair, they become territorial towards their own kind, however, they are seldom aggressive towards other fish species.   Good tankmates include other similar sized peaceful species not prone to feeding on gobies.   Avoid dragonets, jawfishes, or other burring species that compete for the same food source.

Although they don’t always do so, the Golden Head Sleeper Goby has the ability to change sex to form pairs. In the wild, a pair will spawn as often as every 14 days.   The females remain in the burrow with the eggs until they hatch, which takes up to 4 days, while the male guards the entrance of the burrow.

In their natural habitat, the Golden Head Sleeper Goby feeds on tiny organisms that live in the sandy bottom substrate such as small copepods, worms, shrimp, algae, etc.

By constantly sifting mouthfuls of sand and expelling it through their gills, they extract any edible organisms from the substrate.

In an aquarium environment with a live sand substrate, they are so efficient at removing micro fauna that unless they are provided with a supplemental food source, they often starve.   Their diet should include plenty of high quality meaty items like live and frozen brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, live black worms, prepared carnivore foods, marine algae, and Spirulina.   It is preferable to feed them several times a day.

The Golden Head Sleeper Goby (Valenciennea strigata) is commonly available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught specimens, primarily from the Philippines, from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1″ to 2″; Medium: 2″ to 3″; Large 3″ to 4″; XLarge: 4″ to 5″. Prices range from $49.99 to $ 69.99 for medium specimens.

Golden Head Sleeper (Valenciennea strigata)

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 7.1″
Color Form: Blue, Tan, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Sand Sifter
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Bella Goby (Elacatinus puncticulatus)

Bella Goby (Elacatinus puncticulatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Red Head Goby is found along the continental shore of the Tropical East Pacific from the Southern tip of California (Sea of Cortez) to southern Ecuador.

The Red Head Goby is a shy, docile, symbiotic cleaner species that is found on the rocky and coral reefs of their range, mostly along the shallow subtidal zone between depths of 2 to over 70 feet, usually in close association with the Slate Pencil Urchin (Eucidaris thouarsii) where they are relatively immune from predators when hiding among their spines.

Bella Gobies are facultative cleaners that often set up “cleaning stations” on the coral reefs. The bright blue colors on the head of the Bella Goby apparently helps them attract the fish that they remove ectoparasites from, and feed on.

Bella Goby (Elacatinus puncticulatus)

Not to be confused with the commonly named Bella Goby (Valencienna bella);  the Bella Goby (Elacatinus puncticulatus) have vibrant red and blue colors on the head; yellow and black striped colors on the body, and a dark horizontal stripe behind the eye. The blue stripe near the head of many Elacatinus species is an adaptation that allows the fish to more effectively attract the clients that they clean. Female Bella Gobies are typically smaller than males.

Depending on locale, different members of Elacatinus puncticulatus often display different colors on their head, body, and eye stripes.   These can range from red, to more of a yellow orange color.

Elacatinus puncticulatus are the only species in the genus that display a lack of scales on the head and body.

The Bella Goby should be housed in a mature reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least a 20 gallon capacity with a sandy or fine coralline gravel substrate, and plenty of live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among.

They are a docile, extremely shy species that can be housed as pairs.   They should never be housed with more aggressive species.   Ideal scavenger in reef aquariums, their bright colors and lack of aggression make them a favorite reef tank species.

The Red Head Goby is commonly successfully bred in an aquarium environment,

They display an active courtship before spawning, parental behaviors after spawning, and form stable monogamous relationships that last throughout their lives.

Male Bella Gobies develop a gray head, and a yellow and black body coloration prior to spawning, in lieu of their usual red and blue head coloration. The day prior to spawning, the male move their pectoral fins to clean their burrow and display heavy breathing to show their readiness to spawn. The strong red and black colors of female Bella Gobies beomes pale three days prior to spawning. The day prior to spawning, the females brown urogenital area turns red.

Bella Gobies lay their eggs in a crevice or empty shell and produce around 150 benthic 0.4 to 0.7mm eggs per spawn; but only about 100 will hatch out to pelagic larvae. The males clean the dead eggs after hatching but occasionally they clean them before hatching occurs. This leads to losses of up to half of the eggs or more.

About 7 days after fertilization, spontaneous hatching takes place and lasts about an hour and a half until completion. The eggs hatch out into the pelagic larval stage that lasts anywhere from 21 to 38 days.

The diet of the Bella Goby should consist of a variety of live and frozen brine shrimp, frozen Mysis shrimp, finely chopped table shrimp, marine fish flesh, scallops, clams, and prepared frozen carnivore foods. They only need to be fed once a day when kept in a reef tank.

Many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts include refugiums into their systems to feed their reef animals.   A mature refugium populated with copepods and/or amphipods will greatly benefit the health of Elacatinus puncticulatus and other reef inhabitants.

The Red Head or Bella Goby (Elacatinus puncticulatus) is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1/2″ to 1″; Medium: 1″ to 2″.

Prices for small Central American specimens are $ 49.99.

Note: This species is very sensitive during transportation and acclimatizing into the aquarium.

Bella Goby (Elacatinus puncticulatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 1.6″ – 2″
Color Form: Black, Red, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Ideal reef scavenger
Origin: Sea of Cortez, Ecuador
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate/Expert

Bella Goby (Valencienna bella)

The Bella Goby (Valencienna bella) also known as the Valenciennea Goby, Elegant Shrimp Goby, Blueband Goby, or Bella Sand Sifting Goby is an attractive sleeper goby species that is found in the Western Pacific from Okinawa, Japan to the Philippine islands.

The Bella Goby, locally referred to as the Sleeper Goby, is a shy, reclusive carnivore that lives in the cracks, crevices, caves, and sandy bottoms along the coastal reefs of their range, at depths from 35 to over 115 feet, where they feed on copepods and other small invertebrates.

The Valenciennea Goby is a hardy species that is usually found singly or in pairs among the rubble, rocks, and sandy bottoms where they venture out of their hiding places to sift the sand for copepods and organic matter, or to defend their territories.

The Bella Goby is similar in shape and size to the Golden Head Sleeper Goby.  It should not be confused with the similarly named and much smaller Bella Goby (Elacatinus puncticulatus).

Bella Goby (Valencienna bella)

Valencienna bella display several color variations of Maroon, Red, and Orange.   All varieties have a yellow and gold colored head with 2 to 3 sapphire blue stripes on the cheek below the eyes, and an off white colored chin and belly.   Adult males have a black mouth and throat, rhomboid caudal fins, and elongated dorsal fins with yellow filaments.   As juveniles grow into adulthood, they acquire black patches or spots under the chin.

The Bella Goby is a peaceful species that can be housed as a single species or if possible as mated pairs in a dimly lit, well established aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity, with a thick sand or very fine gravel substrate for them to burrow into, and plenty of mature live rock arranged into cracks, crevices, and caves for them to graze and hide among.

The Bella Goby is a small, extremely peaceful sand sifting species that get along well with other peaceful tank mates in a reef aquarium environment.   Although they will ignore corals and most invertebrates in a reef tank, they will eat tiny invertebrates if they can fit them into their mouth. Compatible tank mates for the Bella Goby includes the Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica), Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto), Neon Goby (Elacatinus spp.), Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni), and Clownfish (Amphiprion spp.).

When crowded or confined in smaller tanks; the Bella Goby can become territorial towards other gobies, blennies, or dartfish.

Because these gobies have a tendency to jump when startled, a tight fitting aquarium cover should be provided.

The Bella Sand Sifting Goby has been bred in an aquarium environment, however, the larvae are extremely difficult to raise into juveniles.

In the wild, Valencienna bella mate for life.   Their breeding behavior begins with the female gently pecking at the male to stimulate mating. After the female deposits her egg masses over the substrate, the male then spreads sperm over the egg masses to fertilize them. The male then pushes off the female while he guards the eggs and fans the water with his pectoral fins to increase the oxygen levels until the eggs hatch out, which can take up to several days.

In their natural habitat, Bella Gobies feeds on small invertebrates and organic matter that they sift from the sand.

In an aquarium environment, Bella Gobies get nourishment from the bottom of the aquarium by gulping up mouthfuls of substrate and sifting the sand through their mouths. Organisms that live within the sand such as small worms and crustaceans are filtered out and consumed. The Goby’s constant sifting keeps the substrate clean and well oxygenated.

Bella Gobies should also be given multiple daily feedings of a variety of fresh and thawed frozen foods such as enriched brine shrimp, enriched Mysis shrimp, grass shrimp, black worms, copepods, and marine carnivore pellets.

Many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts include refugiums into their systems to feed their reef animals.   A mature refugium populated with copepods and/or amphipods will greatly benefit the health of Valencienna bella an other reef critters.

The Bella Goby (Valencienna bella) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 2.25 – 3.5″, Medium: 3.5 – 4.75″

Prices for medium specimens range from $119.99 to $161.99

Bella Goby (Valencienna bella)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 6″
Color Form: Maroon, Orange, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Sand Sifter
Origin: Okinawa, Japan; Philippine islands.
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate/Expert

Melon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus)

The Melon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Indian Redfin Butterflyfish, Three-banded Coralfish, Three-banded Butterfly, Lineated butterflyfish, Pinstriped Butterflyfish, Purple Butterflyfish, Rainbow Butterflyfish, Indian Ocean Redfin Butterfly, and Red-fin Butterflyfish is only found in the Indian Ocean.   Its range extends from East Africa and the islands of western and central Indian Ocean to the Andaman Sea, Cocos-Keeling Islands, Christmas Island, and western Indonesia (western Sumatra, Java, Bali ad Nusa Penida).

Chaetodon lunulatus occurs only in the Indo Pacific and ranges from East Africa to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto islands while Chaetodon trifasciatus occurs only in the Indian Ocean.

Adult Melon Butterflyfish are normally encountered singly or in pairs on the coral rich lagoons and semi protected seaward reefs of their range at depths from 6 to 98 feet, where they feed almost exclusively on coral polyps.   They are especially fond of the Cauliflower Coral (Pocillopora) species.

Small juvenile Melon Butterflyfish are extremely secretive and can be found hiding among corals in shallower depths.

Melon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus)

Melon Butterflyfish have a yellow chest and head that transitions into a pale lavender gray color towards back and tail, with darker lavender pinstripes along body.  They have black lips, a vertical black band through the eye and caudal fin, and a narrower fainter band behind the eye on the gill cover.   There is a dark black dash on one of the horizontal pinstripes on the upper body.  The orange caudal peduncle distinguishes the Indian Ocean Redfin Butterfly (Chaetodon trifasciatus) from the Pacific Pinstripe Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) which occurs only in the Pacific Ocean and Western Australian coast.

Although a number of publications have recorded Melon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus) from Australia; in the AUS EEZ, this species only occurs at the territories of Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean.

The Melon Butterflyfish is best housed in a mature FOWLR aquarium of at least 125 gallon capacity with a crushed coralline substrate, plenty of live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among, and a copious amount of free swimming space.

Melon Butterflyfish are an active species that enjoy swimming.   They are best housed in large, long, aquariums with other peaceful reef species or kept as pairs.   Although generally peaceful, they can be territorial and aggressive to other Chaetodon.

Because Melon Butterflyfish are food specialists that feed exclusively on Pocillopora corals and nibble on tubeworms, small invertebrates and crustaceans, they are not considered reef safe.

Like most butterflyfish, Chaetodon trifasciatus are sensitive to water quality and require moderate water movement in their tank.   A good filtration system with adequate skimming and a powerhead or wave maker is necessary to keep them healthy.

The Melon Butterflyfish has not been successfully bred in an aquarium environment.   They are monogamous broadcast spawners that form bonded pairs that can last for life. After a courtship ritual that involves swimming in circles while rising up to the surface, the female releases her small pelagic eggs into the water column at the same time the male releases his sperm to fertilize them. The fertilized eggs hatch out into transparent larvae that float along the surface in the plankton chain until they grow to sufficient size to settle on the bottom and eventually become juveniles.

In their natural habitat, Melon Butterflyfish are obligate corallivores that feed on polyps from a wide range of different coral species, with a preference for coral polyps of the Cauliflower Coral (Pocillopora) species. They may also eat zooplankton, tubeworms, and small invertebrates.

In an aquarium environment Chaetodon trifasciatus usually starve in captivity because they rarely transition to feeding on anything but live corals.  Rarely, some individuals will accept live zooplankton or live mussels with crushed shells.    Another trick is to mimic their natural feeding behavior by stuffing frozen foods into coral skeletons or stones.   If they still refuse to adapt to eating live or frozen Mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, or cyclopes replacement foods; the only way to keep Chaetodon trifasciatus is to feed them their natural diet of live SPS or LPS corals.

The Melon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small 1.5-2″ $69.99; Medium 2-3″ $80.00.

Melon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Average
Water Conditions: 70.5° – 88.5° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 6.9″
Color Form: Yellow, Lavender, Black, Orange
Diet: Corallivore
Compatibility: Not reef safe
Origin: Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Expert

Three Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon robustus)

The Three Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon robustus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Ghana Butterflyfish, Robustus Butterfly, or South African Butterflyfish is found on the southern tropical west coasts of Africa and ranges from Mauritania to the Gulf of Guinea.

Chaetodon robustus are a rare, elusive species that are normally encountered singly or in pairs over the inshore rocky reefs of their range at depths from 100 to over 230 feet, where they feed on crabs, crustaceans, worms, hydroids, and algae.

Three Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon robustus)

Three Banded Butterflyfish have a silvery white body with three vertical dark brown bands; one through the eyes, the second at mid body, and the third along the rear portion of the body. Their scales are narrowly edged in yellow which gives them a copper like hue. The caudal fin is clear with tints of brown and the dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins are mostly yellow.

Juvenile Robustus Butterflyfish have more vibrant colors, with bold black bands contrasting against a yellow background. As they mature, the intensity of the colors are usually diminished, leading to a more subdued appearance.

The Three Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon robustus) is sometimes confused in name with the extremely rare Three Band Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tricinctus) found in the Tasman Sea.

The Three Band Butterflyfish is best housed in a mature FOWLR aquarium of at least 125 gallon capacity with a crushed coralline gravel substrate, plenty of live rock having some micro and macroalgae growths, arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to graze and hide among, and a large area for free swimming.

Because cooler water temperatures are required to house this species, an aquarium chiller may be needed along with a good filtration system and skimmer to keep this species healthy.  They also require moderate to strong currents in at least a portion of their tank, which is why a wave maker or powerhead is recommended.

Chaetodon robustus are generally peaceful, but may harass similar looking fish. They enjoy swimming and do best in large, long, roomy tanks as pairs or with other peaceful reef species.

Because they nibble on corals, small invertebrates and crustaceans, Three Band Butterflyfish are not considered reef safe.

The Three Banded Butterflyfish has not been bred in an aquarium environment. They are broadcast spawners that form pairs during breeding.   After a brief mating ritual, the female releases her pelagic eggs into the water column at the same time the male releases his sperm to fertilize them. The buoyant fertilized eggs hatch into tiny larvae that float along the surface as plankton until they grow large enough to settle on the bottom and eventually become juveniles.

In their natural habitat, Three Banded Butterflyfish feed on a diverse range of hydroids, coral species, crabs, crustaceans, worms, and algae.   In an aquarium environment a well balanced variety of omnivore flake food, Spirulina, nori seaweed, fresh and frozen meaty seafoods that include Mysis shrimp, live fortified brine shrimp, chopped clam, black worms, and chopped shrimp should be offered several times daily.

Due to their limited collection area along the southern coasts of Africa, Three Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon robustus) are a rare and elusive species in the aquarium trade. They are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts online from select suppliers and specialty fish shops from waiting lists at prices that vary according to size and area of collection.

Approximate purchase sizes: 2.25” – 3.25” $ 99.99 to $234.99; 3.5 – 4.75″ $288.99; over 4.75″ $426.99.

Three Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon robustus)

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 71-80° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max size: 8″
Color Form: Black, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Not Reef Safe
Origin: Mauritania to the Gulf of Guinea, Africa
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Three Band Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tricinctus)

Three Band Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tricinctus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Three-Striped Butterflyfish or Threeband Butterflyfish is a rarely imported species that is native to eastern Australia, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, and Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs in the Tasman Sea.

Three Band Butterflyfish are normally encountered in small groups or pairs on the coral rich lagoons and seaward reefs of their range at depths up to 100 feet, where they feed on zooplankton, coral polyps, and benthic invertebrates.

Three Band Butterflyfish are one of the most common butterflyfishes seen around Lord Howe Island where they are often found in large schools feeding on zooplankton in the water column in depths to 50 feet.

Three Band Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tricinctus)

Three Band Butterflyfish have a rounded white body with orange lips, a thin brownish orange vertical band through the eye, two broad black bands on the body and fins, a yellow orange bar above the pectoral fin, and a yellow to orange margin on the dorsal and anal fins that continues through the caudal fin.

Three Band Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tricinctus) are on occasion misidentified as the less rare Three Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon robustus) found along the southern coasts of Africa.

The Three Band Butterflyfish is best housed in a mature FOWLR aquarium of at least 125 gallon capacity with a crushed coralline gravel substrate, lots of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among, and plenty of free swimming space.

Because they eat coral polyps, nibble at ornamental clam mantles and consume benthic invertebrates in a reef system; Chaetodon tricinctus are not reef safe.

Three Band Butterflyfish are best maintained with other peaceful reef species that do not compete with them for food in the aquarium.

Because cooler water temperatures are required to maintain this species than what most tropical fish keeping enthusiasts normally maintain; an aquarium chiller is recommended along with a good filtration system and skimmer to keep this species healthy.

The Three Band Butterflyfish is a monogamous species that have not been bred in an aquarium environment.

Chaetodon tricinctus are broadcast spawners that form bonded pairs that last for life.   During the breeding season, pairs display an elaborate courtship that involves darting in between the corals and swimming in circles while rising up to the surface.   After the mating ritual, the female releases small pelagic eggs into the water column at the same time the male releases his sperm to fertilize them. The fertilized eggs hatch out into transparent tholichthys larvae that float along the surface in the plankton chain until they grow to sufficient size to settle on the bottom and eventually become juveniles.

In their natural habitat, Three Band Butterflyfish feed on coral polyps, algae, and small invertebrates.

Like Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus), they can be fussy eaters in an aquarium environment.   A meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, Mysis, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), various frozen meaty seafoods, and flake foods containing Spirulina or Nori should be offered several times daily.

Offering a half of a live mussel or clam in the shell or pressing some soft foods into the crevices of a piece of old dead coral will often encourage finicky eaters to begin feeding.   Over time, frozen foods like Mysis and brine shrimp may be more readily accepted.

Three Band Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tricinctus) are exceptionally rare in the aquarium trade and seldom, if ever available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts.

Because they are restricted to Tasman Sea Islands, they are rarely imported and virtually unknown to both American and European aquarists.   Lord Howe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so collection in those waters are prohibited.

Specimens that have entered the tropical fish keeping hobby the United States were extremely expensive.

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy when acclimated
Water Conditions: 68-76°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.0 – 8.5, sg 1.020-1.026
Max. Size: 5.9″
Color Form: Black, White, Orange, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Not reef safe
Origin: eastern Australia, Tasman Sea
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 8 – 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Expert

Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus)

Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Butterbun, the Portuguese Butterfly, School Mistress, and Banded Mariposa are found in tropical western Atlantic waters from Brazil to Bermuda and ranges from Massachusetts in the United States to Santa Catarina in Brazi; including the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda, and Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago.

Although Banded Butterflyfish are normally encountered singly or in pairs on the coral reefs of their range; they are occasionally observed in small shoals of around twenty individuals feeding on plankton in the water column at depths to around 65 feet.   They are a diurnal species that are active during the day and sleep in cover at night.

Chaetodon striatus are a benthic species that have been recorded by divers at depths up to 225 feet where they feed on coral polyps, polychaete worms, tube worms, sea anemones, small invertebrates, crustaceans, and fish eggs.

In shallower depths, Banded Butterflyfish occasionally perform the duties of cleaner fish by removing parasites from parrot fish, grunts, surgeon fish, etc.

Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus)

The Banded Butterflyfish has a silvery white body overlaid with small squiggly horizontal black lines, a vertical black bar that passes through the eye, two wider vertical black bars at mid-body, and a third wider bar that starts on the rear of the dorsal fin and continues to the caudal peduncle. The caudal, dorsal and pelvic fins are black with white edging and yellow highlights.

Juvenile Banded Butterflyfish have distinctly darker colors that

Juvenile Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus)

are brownish yellow instead of white, and a large, ringed, black eye spot at the base of their dorsal fins to confuse predators.

The Banded Butterflyfish is best housed in a mature FOWLR aquarium of at least 125 gallon capacity with a crushed coralline gravel substrate, lots of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among, and plenty of free swimming space.

Banded Mariposa are not reef safe.   They eat (LPS) coral polyps, nibbles at clams including all Tridacna species, relish tubeworms, and consume all crustaceans.

Banded Butterflyfish should only be housed with other peaceful species that do not compete with them for food.

Chaetodon striatus have not been bred in an aqurium environment.

Banded Butterflyfish are broadcast spawners that form monogamous pairs to breed.   The female releases 3,000-4,000 small pelagic eggs into the water column at the same time the male releases his sperm to fertilize them.   The fertilized eggs hatch in a day into transparent tholichthys larvae that have a bony armor sheath on the head.   The larvae float along the surface with the current along with other plankton until they reach the size of a dime, at which time they settle to the bottom during the night to eventually become juveniles.

In their natural habitat, Banded Butterflyfish have a variety of feeding strategies that can be challenging to replicate in an aquarium environment.

Some Banded Butterflyfish hunt for tiny plankton in schools over the reef; others singly or in pairs forage on the reef surface for crustaceans, while others engage in cleaning behavior with larger fish.

Because Chaetodon striatus mainly eat coral polyps, Zooplankton, and crustaceans; problems are usually encountered trying to provide them with alternative foods.

Initially, it is essential to have a variety of several suitable food types on hand such as live Mysis shrimp, artemia, larger shrimp, small crabs, Cyclops, copepods, live mussels, and even living corals to keep them alive.   These should be fed several times a day in small portions until the fish become accustomed to alternative types of food.

Offering a half of a live mussel or clam in the shell or pressing some soft foods into the crevices of a piece of old dead coral can sometimes encourage finicky eaters to begin feeding.

Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus) are commonly available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1.5-2″; Medium: over 2-3″, Large: over 3-4.5″

Atlantic caught specimens start at around $34.99 for small, to around $39.99 for large.

Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Average
Water Conditions: 70°F to 79°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.5, sg 1.020-1.026
Max size: 6.3″
Color Form: White, Black
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Not reef safe
Origin: Atlantic, Brazil
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Expert

Latticed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesi)

Latticed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesi) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Raffle’s Butterflyfish is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Andaman Sea to the western Pacific and ranges from Sri Lanka to the Tuamotu Islands, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef, and from Palau (Belau) to the eastern Caroline Islands in Micronesia.

Latticed Butterflyfish are usually encountered in pairs around areas of rich coral growth in the lagoons, reef flats, and seaward reefs of their range at depths from 3 to 65 feet or more where they feed on octocorallian and scleractinian coral polyps, zoanthids, polychaetes, and sea anemones.

Latticed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesi)

The Latticed Butterflyfish has a yellow body color with dark margins on the scales that give it a lattice like appearance, a vertical black band that intersects the eye, and a blue patch on the forehead. A dark vertical black band runs through the center of the dorsal fin and sub marginally on the dorsal and ventral fins.

Juveniles have a dark spot on the lower rear portion of the dorsal fin.  There are no external

Latticed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesi)

differences between males and females.

When asleep or stressed, the Latticed Butterflyfish develops a dark spot on the front of the body.

Latticed Butterflyfish are a peaceful species that can be housed in a mature FOWLR aquarium of at least 125 gallon capacity with a sand or coralline gravel substrate, plenty of aged live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among, and sufficient free swimming space.   Because they prey on the polyps of hard and soft corals and anemones, they are not considered to be reef safe and should only be housed in FOWLR aquariums with other peaceful species.

Because they usually become territorial and aggressive; Latticed Butterflyfish should not be housed with other species of butterflyfish or other aggressive species.

They can be kept in pairs with other peaceful species in large tanks.

Like most other butterflyfish species, Chaetodon rafflesi are sensitive to variations in water quality and require a good protein skimmer, filtration system, and a wave maker or powerhead to provide moderate water movement in at least one area of the tank.

Raffle’s Butterflyfish have rarely been successfully bred in an aquarium environment.

Chaetodon rafflesii are pelagic spawners that during the breeding season, form monogamous pairs to mate.   The female releases small, buoyant eggs into the water column where the male immediately fertilizes them. The eggs become part of the plankton chain and eventually hatch out into small tholichthys larvae that in time become juveniles. Raising the larvae in an aquarium environment is complex and not commonly done by tropical fish keeping enthusiasts.

In their natural habitat, Latticed Butterflyfish feed primarily on coral polyps and small invertebrates.   In an aquarium environment, they should be fed a varied diet that includes frozen or live brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, krill, and chopped seafoods.   Feeding them small amounts several times a day instead of one large feeding is recommended.

Latticed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesi) are not common in the aquarium trade.   They are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts online from select suppliers and specialty fish shops at prices that vary according to size and area of collection.

Approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1″ to 2-1/4″; Medium: 2-1/4″ to 3 1/2″; Large: 3-1/2″ to 4-1/2″. Prices for small Indonesian specimens begin at around $40.00.

Latticed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesi)

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 75-81° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 6″
Color Form: Black, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Not Reef Safe
Origin: Indo-Pacific, Great Barrier Reef, French Polynesia
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 7 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Sunset Butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis) pair

Sunset Butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Dot Dash
Butterflyfish, Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish, Spotbanded Butterflyfish, Pelewensis Butterflyfish, and erroneously the Punctato Butterflyfish, is found on coral reefs in the South Pacific Ocean.

In the southern Pacific Ocean its range extends from Papua New Guinea to the Tuamotu Archipelago.   It is abundant in the Coral Sea and on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia where they can be found as far south as central New South Wales and Lord Howe Island.

Sunset Butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis)

Sunset Butterflyfish have a mustard yellow to orange body color with black upward oriented diagonal stripes across the rear portion that begin as spots at the head, and a black edged vertical gold bar that passes through the eyes. They have a black spot on the forehead in front of the dorsal fin.   The base of the caudal fin is bright orange, and the margins of the fins are yellow. There are no distinguishable physical differences between males and females.

Sunset Butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis) closely resemble the Punctato Butterflyfish (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus) which they occasionally hybridize with in the southern part of their range.

Sunset Butterflyfish are a peaceful species that are normally encountered in the clear waters of the lagoons and outer seaward reefs of their range, among rocky areas with abundant coral growth at depths of at least 150 feet, where they feed on coral polyps and a few small benthic invertebrates.   Sunset Butterflyfish are occasionally found swimming as pairs along the outer subtidal reef flats, especially during breeding.

Sunset Butterflyfish are best housed in an established FOWLR tank of at least 75 gallon capacity with a fine coralline gravel or sand substrate, plenty of mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to graze on and hide among.   Because they need areas in the tank with moderate to high water flow, a wave maker or power head is recommended.

Because Sunset Butterflyfish feed largely on coral polyps, soft corals, tubeworms, and most benthic invertebrates; they are not considered reef safe.

Chaetodon pelewensis are a peaceful species that get along well with other non aggressive species like Clownfish (Ocellaris Clownfish), Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto), Firefish (Nemateleotris spp.), Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni), Orchid Dottybacks (Pseudochromis fridmani), and some Dwarf Angelfish.   They may exhibit territorial behavior towards conspecifics or similar looking species, especially when housed in smaller tanks.

Sunset Butterflyfish are oviparous, monogamous, and breed in pairs.   Spawning usually occur at dusk.  After a brief courtship ritual, the pair ascends into the water column to release a white cloud of eggs and sperm.   The small, buoyant eggs hatch out within 24 hours into larvae that drift with the currents until they grow into juveniles.

In the southern part of their range, they will occasionally form mixed pairs and hybridize with the Punctato Butterflyfish (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus).

In their natural habitat, Sunset Butterflyfish feed on coral polyps, a variety of small benthic invertebrates, and filamentous algae.   In an aquarium environment they are generally shy, deliberate feeders that that initially require a variety of fresh, frozen, and dried foods to get them eating.

Their diet should include finely chopped seafoods, vitamin enriched brine shrimp, cyclops, krill, Mysis shrimp, high quality marine omnivore flakes or pellets, spirulina, and other seaweed based foods fed 2 or 3 times a day.

Sunset Butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″; Medium: 2-1/4″ to 3-1/2″; Large: 3-1/2″ to 4-1/2″.

Prices for small specimens start at around $59.99 and vary according to size and area of collection.

Sunset Butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis)

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72°F to 78°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 4.75″
Color Form: Yellow, Black, Orange
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Not reef compatable
Origin: Southern Pacific, Cook Islands
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Dot Dash Butterflyfish (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus)

The Punctato Butterflyfish (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus), known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Dot Dash Butterflyfish, Spotband Butterflyfish, or Spot-band Butterflyfish, are found in the Indo West Pacific Ocean from Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Line Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Rowley Shoals and the northern Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and throughout Micronesia.

In the Indian Ocean, Chaetodon punctatofasciatus is “replaced” by its close relative the Peppered Butterflyfish (Chaetodon guttatissimus). Both species occur from Christmas Island to Bali.

Punctato Butterflyfish are a peaceful species that is normally encountered in the clear waters of the lagoons and outer seaward reef flats of their range, among rocky areas with abundant coral growth at depths to 150 feet, where they feed on filamentous algae, coral polyps, and a variety of small benthic invertebrates. Spotband Butterflyfish are occasionally found swimming as pairs along the outer subtidal reef flats, especially during breeding.

Juvenile Punctato Butterflyfish are secretive and are usually found in shallower waters.

Dot Dash Butterflyfish (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus)

Punctato Butterflyfish have a pale gray to brownish yellow body color, with seven vertical rows of dark gray to black spots interspersed with yellow and aligned as stripes along the upper portion of the body that morphs into horizontal rows of dark spots on the lower portion.   An orange bar edged in black runs across the eye, the dorsal fin has a yellow margin, the caudal peduncle is colored a bright orange, and the rear edge of the caudal fin is transparent. There are no distinguishable physical differences between males and females.

Juveniles Punctato Butterflies exhibit a vibrant coloration with bold black spots and yellowish orange bands on a white to yellowish tan background. Their colors intensify as they mature and the patterns become more pronounced.

In the southern part of their range, Spotband Butterflyfish occasionally hybridize with the Sunset Butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis).

The Punctato Butterflyfish is best housed in an established FOWLR tank of at least 75 gallon capacity with a fine coralline gravel or sand substrate, plenty of mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to graze on and hide among. They should have areas in the tank with moderate to high water flow.

Because Punctato Butterflyfish eat stony polyps, soft corals, tube worms, ornamental shrimp, anemones, and most invertebrates; they are not considered reef safe.

Chaetodon punctatofasciatus are peaceful and get along well with other non aggressive species like Clownfish (Ocellaris Clownfish), Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto), Firefish (Nemateleotris spp.), Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni), Orchid Dottybacks (Pseudochromis fridmani), and Dwarf Angelfish.

Although the Punctato Butterfly is generally peaceful, they can exhibit territorial behavior towards conspecifics or similar looking species, especially in smaller systems.

Punctato Butterflyfish have been bred by commercial aquaculturists but rearing the larvae is challenging, which is why they have not been bred in a home aquarium environment.

Chaetodon punctatofasciatus are oviparous and monogamous, breeding in pairs. In the southern part of their range, they will occasionally form mixed pairs and hybridize with the Sunset Butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis).

In their natural habitat, Punctato Butterflyfish feed primarily on coral polyps and a variety of benthic invertebrates.   In an aquarium environment, their diet should include a variety of meaty and algae based foods. Mysis and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafoods, high quality marine flakes or pellets, spirulina, nori, seaweed, marine algae, and algae based foods are all eagerly accepted and should be fed 2 to 3 times a day.

Punctato Butterflyfish (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus) are commonly available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transshippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″; Medium: 2-1/4″ to 3-1/2″; Large: 3-1/2″ to 4-1/2″.

Prices for small specimens begin at $69.00 and vary according to size and area of collection.

Dot Dash Butterflyfish (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 75°F to 82°F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 4.75″
Color Form: Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Not reef compatable
Origin: Indo Pacific
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Big Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris)

The Big Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Longnose Butterflyfish, is found throughout tropical Indo Pacific waters.

Its range extends from East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Pitcairn islands, north to the Bonin Islands, south to New Caledonia and the Austral Islands; throughout Micronesia.

Big Longnose Butterflyfish are an uncommon benthopelagic species that are normally encountered in pairs along the deeper seaward reefs of their range at depths from 190 feet to over 650 feet where they feed on small whole crustaceans, the tube feet of echinoderms and sea urchins, and polychaete tentacles.

Big Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris)

Big Longnose Butterflyfish have a laterally compressed, bright yellow body that extends from the back of the head to the caudal peduncle, and a very long thin, silvery snout. There is a black triangular area on the top half of the head that extends all the way through the eye; and the bottom half on the breast is a dusky silvery white color with rows of small black spots. The dorsal and anal fins are predominantly yellow with transparent edges and the pectoral and caudal fins are transparent. They have a black eye spot on the anal fin located just below the caudal peduncle.

The Big Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris) is easily misidentified as the Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus).   Except for the longer nose, the black cluster of dots on the chest, and the black head color extending to cover the entire eye of Forcipiger longirostris, they are practically identical.

There is a rare all black form of Forcipiger longirostris, and another uncommon form where the yellow portion is

Big Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris)

dark brown in color.

In the East Indian region of its range, Forcipiger longirostris is replaced by a newly discovered species Forcipiger wanai; which was discovered at Cenderawasih Bay in West Papua.

Forcipiger wanai has the same general shape and coloration as Forcipiger flavissimus and Forcipiger longirostris. However, whereas the first two members of the Forcipiger genus are solid yellow with differences in snout length; Forcipiger wanai is a dusky brownish yellow color that fades to yellow or orange near the fins, with a bright yellow band behind the black head marking.

Big Longnose Butterflyfish are active swimmers that make a wonderful addition to a well established reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 125 gallon capacity with a sand or fine gravel substrate, plenty of mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide and graze among, and lots of free swimming space.

Although the Big Longnose Butterflyfish is a peaceful species that gets along well with other peaceful species, they are very territorial with conspecifics, other butterflyfish species, and similar looking fishes and are best housed singly or as a true mated pair.

Forcipiger longirostris requires excellent water quality and areas in the tank with brisk water movement which makes a good filtration system, protein skimmer, and wave maker mandatory for their well being.

This species benefits tremendously from an ongoing supply of tiny amphipods and copepods which can be easily cultured in a fishless refugium attached to the system.

Forcipiger longirostris has not been bred in a home aquarium environment.

Like the Margined Butterfly (Chelmon marginalis),  Big Longnose Butterflyfish form distinct pairs that mate for life.   During breeding the female deposits small, buoyant eggs into the water column where the male immediately fertilizes them. The buoyant eggs become part of the plankton chain and hatch out into small tholichthys larvae that have large bony plates extending from the head for protection. As the larvae mature and lose their bony plates, the young pass through a lengthy planktonic stage before becoming fully developed juveniles.

Big Longnose Butterflyfish are diurnal omnivores that in their natural habitat feed on Zooplankton, small crustaceans, the tube feet of echinoderms and sea urchins, and polychaete tentacles.

They have tiny mouths that can present challenges when feeding them in an aquarium environment.   A wide variety of fresh or frozen very finely chopped clams, crab, mussels, shrimp, squid, Mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched brine shrimp, etc. fed in small amounts several times per day will keep them healthy.

Many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts set up fishless refugium to culture a continuous supply of small, live amphipods and copepods to keep them in prime condition.

Because of the depths that they are collected from,  Big Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris) are an uncommon species that are rarely available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts.   They are occasionally available online from waiting lists from select suppliers and specialty fish shops at prices that vary according to size and area of collection.

Big Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris)

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOLR or Reef
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 72° – 78° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 8.7″
Color Form: White, Black, Orange, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Excellent Reef species
Origin: Indo Pacific
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5-10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Zoster Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys zoster)

Zoster Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys zoster) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Brown and White Butterflyfish, Black Pyramid Butterflyfish, or Brushtooth Butterflyfish are widespread throughout tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian Ocean.

Their range extends from the east coast of Africa and Oman to the Andaman Sea and western Sumatra and south western Java, Indonesia and from India to Mauritius.

Zoster Butterflyfish are most often encountered swimming in large schools feeding on zooplankton and algae along the outer reef slopes of their range at depths from 9 to 140 feet.

Zoster Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys zoster)

Zoster Butterflyfish have a laterally compressed, round body with a short snout. A broad, white trapezoid shaped band covers the middle of the black body. The black dorsal fin is intersected by yellow on the tips of the white band. The pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins are white.

The intensity of the brown to black areas on this fish can vary depending on the time of day, their mood, etc.

The Zoster Butterflyfish a gregarious species that is best housed in small schools in either a FOWLR or established reef tank of at least 150 gallon capacity with a sand or coralline gravel substrate, plenty of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for the fish to graze on and hide among, and lots of free swimming space.

Black Pyramid Butterflyfish require thoroughly filtered, well-oxygenated water, with areas of brisk water movement. An excellent filtration system, protein skimmer, and wave maker or power head is highly recommended.

When adding a group, it is best to select medium size Hemitaurichthys zoster between 3″ to 4.5″ in length and add them into the tank at the same time. Other peaceful tankmates can be added after the Zoster Butterflyfish have established their territories.

Although well fed Zoster Butterflyfish are considered reef safe, they have been known to pick on inverts, xenia, and other soft corals. They are best kept in reef environments with some of the more noxious soft corals.

They do well in a FOWLR aquarium with other shy, peaceful species but use caution when housing them with other butterflyfish species.

Zoster Butterflyfish have not been bred in an aquarium environment.

In their natural habitat, they form distinct pairs and after a short mating ritual, scatter their eggs in open water.   The larvae float as plankton and remain pelagic until they develop into juveniles.

In the wild, Brown and White Butterflyfish are zooplanktivores. In an aquarium environment, they will eat a variety of live of frozen foods like plankton, baby brine shrimp, vitamin enriched brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, Angel & Butterfly Mix, and finely chopped krill. Supplements of freeze dried foods containing algae and dried algae should also be provided. Feeding small amounts several times daily is recommended.

Many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts like to install refugiums under the aquarium to culture copepod colonies for a constant supply of live foods.

Zoster Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys zoster)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: Small: 1″ to 2-1/4″; Medium: 2-1/4″ to 3-1/2″; Large: 3-1/2″ to 4-1/2″; XLarge: 4-1/2″ or larger

Currently prices for small specimens start at around $99.99 for small Sri Lanka specimens, to $168.99 for large specimens.

Zoster Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys zoster)

Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOLR or Reef
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 7 ″
Color Form: Black, Brown, White, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef with Caution
Origin: Indian Ocean
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: up to 10 Years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus)

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Longnose Butterflyfish or Forceps Butterflyfish is

common throughout tropical Indo Pacific waters.   Its range in the Indo Pacific extends from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian and Easter Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island and throughout Micronesia. In the Eastern Pacific, its range extends from southern Baja California, Mexico to the Galapagos and Revillagigedo Islands.

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish are a monogamous, benthopelagic species that can be encountered alone, in pairs, or in small groups of up to 5 individuals in the lagoons and exposed seaward reefs of their range at depths from 3 to over 475 feet, where they feed on a variety of hydroids, fish eggs, small crustaceans especially the tube feet of echinoderms, pedicilaria of sea urchins, and polychaete tentacles.

Adult Forcipiger flavissimus are frequently found paired together occupying their territory of the reef that they staked out for themselves.

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus)

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish have a laterally compressed, bright yellow body that extends from the back of the head to the caudal peduncle, and a thin, elongated snout. The top half of the head extending to about half way through the eye is black; the bottom half is a silvery white color. The dorsal, pectoral, and anal fins are predominantly yellow with transparent edges and the caudal fin is transparent. They have a black eye spot located just below the caudal peduncle, on the anal fin.

The Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) is easily misidentified as the Big Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris).

Except for the longer nose, the black cluster of dots on the chest, and the black head color extending to cover the entire eye of Forcipiger longirostris, they are almost identical.

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish are active swimmers and best housed in a well established reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 125 gallon capacity with a sand or fine gravel substrate, plenty of mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide and graze among, and lots of free swimming space.

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish are a peaceful species that get along well with other peaceful species.  They are very territorial with conspecifics and similar looking species but are usually peaceful with adequate tank space.

Although Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish are considered reef safe, they may nip at coral polyps and sessile invertebrates. We recommend not keeping them with sessile invertebrates.

Forcipiger flavissimus have not been successfully bred in an aquarium environment.   They form monogamous pairs that spawn in relation to the lunar cycles. Their small, spherical, buoyant eggs hatch out in 28 to 30 hours.   Like the Margined Butterflyfish, a bony plate forms over the head area of the larvae to protect the from predation. The larvae remain pelagic for quite a long while before they develop into juvenile fry which is why there are no reported cases of breeding by tropical fish keeping enthusiasts.

In their natural habitat, Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish feed on a variety of benthic organisms including small crustaceans, hydroids, fish eggs, the tube feet of echinoderms, the pedicilaria of sea urchins, and polychaete tentacles. In an aquarium environment, they are not finicky eaters and will accept a wide variety of meaty foods like frozen Mysis shrimp, chopped shrimp, chopped clam, crustacean meat, and frozen preparations.

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) are readily 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: Small: 2″ to 3-1/4″; Medium:3-1/4″ to 4-1/2″; Large: 4-1/2″ to 5-1/2″; XLarge: 5-1/2″ to 6-1/2″

Currently prices for small specimens start at around $79.99 for small Sri Lanka specimens, to $109.99 for medium specimens.

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus)

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOLR or Reef
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 8.7 ″
Color Form: Black, White, Yellow, Silver
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef with Caution
Origin: Indo and Eastern Pacific
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5 to 10 Years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor)

The Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Multicolor Pygmy Angelfish, Pastel Pygmy Angelfish, Pearlback Angelfish, or Many Colored Angelfish is native to many of the island groups in the Western and Central Pacific Oceans.

Their range extends from Palau; the Caroline Islands in both the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Gilbert Islands in Kiribati, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, and the Society Islands in French Polynesia.

Multicolor Angelfish are a shy, benthopelagic species that are normally encountered in small groups of 3 to 7 individuals along the outer reef slopes of their range among dense coral growths and patches of rubble at depths between 60 to 300 feet where they graze on filamentous algae and small benthic animals.   They favor coral rich reefs where they can shelter among the intricate coral formations.

Multicolor Angelfish are protogynous hermaphrodites that can change from a female to a male when no male is present in a small group or harem.

Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor)

Adult Multicolor Angelfish have an orange to pale peach colored lower body with an electric blue area on top of the head behind the eyes, dotted with black spots.   The dorsal and anal fins are an electric blue color, with a bright yellow caudal fin. The upper half of the body to the caudal fin is colored silvery white.   There are no obvious ways to sex adults.

Juvenile Multicolor Angelfish have orange and blue stripes that span their bodies. As they mature, the stripes mutate into a beautiful tapestry of yellow, orange, and blue.

Multicolor Angelfish are best housed in a mature reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 75 gallon capacity with a fine crushed gravel or sand substrate, plenty of live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to graze on and hide among and a lot of free swimming space.

Centropyge multicolor have a preference for sheltering among coral colonies and seem to coexist with other reef dwellers however, because they occasionally nip at soft and stony polyp corals, sessile invertebrates, and clam mantles, they are considered reef safe with caution.

Like other deeper water angelfish species, they require excellent water quality with stable water conditions and a moderate amount of water movement. A quality protein skimmer and wave maker is recommended to replicate these conditions.

Multicolor Angelfish can be somewhat aggressive towards other angelfish but do well with other peaceful species like Yellow Tangs (Zebrasoma flavescens), Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto), Clownfish (Amphiprion spp.), Firefish (Nemateleotris spp.), and other dwarf angelfish species like the Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loriculus).

Although Multicolor Angelfish have been bred in an aquarium environment, raising the larvae to juveniles is challenging.

In the wild, a single male will oversee a harem of several females. Spawning usually occurs at dusk and the eggs are left to float in the water column.

In the wild, Multicolor Angelfish feed on algae, detritus and small benthic animals. In a reef tank or an aquarium with plenty of aged live rock, they will accept a wide range of angelfish preparations. Their diet should include a balance of spirulina, marine algae, seaweed, high quality omnivore pellets, frozen angelfish preparations, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, and small crustaceans to mimic their natural diet and stimulate their foraging instincts. Small portions offered 3 or 4 times a day are recommended.

Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts through aquaculture, however, the majority of specimens are collected from the wild.   A variety of online sources and specialty retail shops carry them on special order at prices ranging from $110.99 to $275.99 depending on size and area of collection.

Multicolor Angelfish (Centropyge multicolor)

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR or Reef with caution
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 75°F to 82°F, 8 to 12 dGH , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3.5″
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Silver, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe with caution
Origin: Western and Central Pacific
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 7 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

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

Margined Butterfly (Chelmon marginalis)

The Margined Butterfly (Chelmon marginalis) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Western Beaked Butterflyfish, Willemawillum, Three-Stripe Butterflyfish, Marginalis Butterflyfish, and Margined Coralfish is endemic to Australia and ranges from the Houtman Abrolhos in Western Australia, around the coasts of northern Australia to the northern Great Barrier Reef, and the reefs in the Coral Sea off Queensland, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam.

The Margined Butterfly is a solitary species that is usually encountered alone, or in pairs along the outer slopes, drop offs, and islands of their range on coral and rock reefs where they prey on crabs, shrimp, polychaetes, and other benthic invertebrates.

Margined Coralfish are found in shallower waters around the islands, as well as on the deeper drop offs along the outer slopes at depths to over 100 feet.

Margined Butterfly (Chelmon marginalis)

The Margined Butterfly has a silvery white body with two slender, vertical orange bars edged in black at the front part of the body, and a wide yellowish or yellowish orange band edged in black at the caudal peduncle. The first bar at the head intersects the eye, and the second wider bar is an extension from the edging on top of the dorsal fin, down in front of the pectoral fins and into the pelvic fins which have a splash of yellow.

Chelmon marginalis closely resemble Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) without the mid body stripe, and the Muelleri Butterflyfish (Chelmon muelleri).

Juvenile Chelmon marginalis have an ocellus on their dorsal fin and a posterior bar that

Juvenile Margined Butterfly (Chelmon marginalis)

disappears as the fish mature into adults.   Adults lack the false eyespot.

The Margined Butterfly can be housed singly, in pairs, or in small groups if all specimens are introduced at the same time, in a mature FOWLR aquarium of at least 125 gallon capacity with a coralline gravel or sand substrate, large amounts of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide and graze among, and plenty of free swimming space.

Because Margined Butterfly pick on Tridacna clam mantles, corals, tubeworms, and eat Aiptasia, a variety of benthic invertebrates, crustaceans, the heads of feather dusters, some soft corals, and will decimate polychaete worm populations; they are not considered reef safe.

Like Chelmon rostratus, Chelmon marginalis are sensitive to changes in water quality and require an efficient filtration system, protein skimmer, and wave maker to simulate their turbid environment.   They prefer temperatures in the 73-81° F range.

Margined Butterfly are generally peaceful however when housed singly or as a pair, they will battle over their territory with others of the same genus.

They can be housed with other peaceful species including Chromis, Cardinals (Pajama Cardinal), Clownfish, Damselfish, Firefish, Dottybacks, Gobies, and Dwarf Angelfish like the Bicolor Angel.

Margined Coralfish have not been bred in an aquarium environment.

In the wild, they form up into pairs during breeding.  Eggs are deposited into the water column by the female with the male immediately fertilizing them. The small, buoyant eggs hatch out into larvae called thoilchyths that have a bony plate over the head to protect them from predators. They remain pelagic until fully developed into juveniles.

In their natural habitat, Margined Butterfly are primarily carnivores that prey on benthic invertebrates such as crabs, shrimps, tubeworms, soft corals and polychaetes.

In an aquarium environment, they require a varied diet of live and frozen meaty foods including live fortified Brine and Mysis shrimp, live black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), sessile invertebrates, live clam, black mussels, Angelfish preparations, sponge based marine preparations, flake foods containing Spirulina or Nori, and high quality marine omnivore pellets.

Margined Butterfly (Chelmon marginalis) are rarely seen in the aquarium trade.  They are occasionally available online from waiting lists to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of suppliers and specialty fish shops at prices that vary according to size and area of collection.

Currently waiting list prices start at around $719.00 for 4.75″ specimens, to over $899.99 for larger Australian specimens.

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOLR
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 78° to 83 °F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 7″
Color Form: White, Black, Orange, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef with Caution
Origin: Australia, Great Barrier Reef Queensland
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5-10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate