Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Pink and Blue Shrimpgoby, Pink and Blue Spotted Goby, Singapore Shrimp Goby, Leptocephalus Prawn, Pinkspotted Shrimp Goby, Blue Prawn Goby, Pink Spotted Watchman Goby, or Leptocephalus Goby is native to the Western Pacific Ocean.

Its range extends from Indonesia to New Caledonia, north to the Yaeyama Islands, and south to northwestern Australia. More recently, specimens from Tonga have been confirmed.

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby can be found on silty, sand and rubble bottoms and the sandy mud bottoms of the mangrove swamps, lagoons, coastal reefs, tide pools and inner reef flats of their range, at depths to 32 feet. Solitary individuals have been encountered in symbiotic relationships with Pistol Shrimp at depths to almost 60 feet.

Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby has a yellow, to tan, to brownish green body color that becomes almost white towards the vent and 6 to 7 diffused brownish vertical bars along the sides.   The head, back, and dorsal fins are adorned with pale-edged pink to red spots and smaller white spots surrounded by smaller blue spots. The first dorsal fin has blue edged pink, to orangish brown spots and the pectoral, fused pelvic, rear dorsal and rounded caudal fins are clear. Males and females share similar physical characteristics and are virtually indistinguishable.

Juveniles Cryptocentrus leptocephalus have subtle pink and blue colors that intensify as they mature.

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby is best housed in a well established reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 40 gallon capacity with a deep coralline sand substrate mixed with small pieces of broken up shells and corals for them to burrow in; lots of mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs, and plenty of free swimming space.

Cryptocentrus leptocephalus thrive with plenty of live rock, a mixed sandy substrate, moderate water flow, and a tightly sealed lid to prevent them from exiting the tank.

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby is not aggressive but can be territorial with members of its own species in smaller tanks.   They spend much of their time burrowing into the substrate and collecting food in the water column.

Compatible tank mates for the Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby include Firefish, Cardinalfish, Dartfish, Basslets, Clownfish, and Damselfish.

Cryptocentrus leptocephalus are frequently housed with Pistol Shrimp of the Alpheus genus.   Three common types of pistol shrimp that pair readily with gobies are the Fine Striped, Tiger, and Candy Cane pistol shrimp.

When keeping the Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby with Pistol Shrimp, it is important to provide a deep sand bed of at least three inches mixed with plenty of broken shells and crushed coral of various sizes for the shrimp to have sufficient building material to dig a stable burrow.

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby will breed in an aquarium environment but the planktonic larvae are difficult to raise into adulthood.    Recent advancements have made Pink-speckled Shrimpgobies increasingly available through aquaculture.

In their natural environment, the Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby feeds on benthic organisms, small crustaceans, tiny invertebrates, and planktonic matter in the water column that passes by their burrows.    In an aquarium environment, they do well on a varied diet consisting of high quality marine pellets, frozen foods, Mysis shrimp, and live brine shrimp. Several daily feeding is recommended to ensure their health.

The Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus) is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as pre-ordered wild caught specimens from online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers or as aquacultured specimens.  Prices for small 3.5″ specimens range from $48.99 to $62.99.

Pink-speckled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus)

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max size: 4.7″
Color Form: Blue, Red, Tan, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Y-bar Shrimp Goby, Ninebar Prawn-goby, Bluelined Shrimp goby, Blue Fin Watchman Goby or Barred prawn-goby is widespread in the Indo-West-Pacific from East Africa to Melanesia and the Great Barrier Reef.

Its range extends throughout the East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, The Red Sea, Indonesia, and Central/West Pacific.

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby is a shy, territorial species that is found in the clear coastal and inner reef sand slopes of their range, often in small colonies at depths from 15 to over 65 feet where they share burrows in the sandy substrate with alpheid shrimps.

Occasionally two Y-bar Shrimpgobies of each color will share a burrow with a single pistol shrimp.

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby has a light gray to blackish, to yellow body color with up to nine wide brown bars along the sides, blue to bluish white streaks on the head that change into blue spots on the body, translucent dorsal fins, pelvic fins with blue spots, and a blue stripe on the anal fin.

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

There is a barred variety of Cryptocentrus fasciatus with four brown saddles, white or bluish streaks on the head, plain dorsal fins, pelvic fins with blue spots, and a blue stripe on the anal fin.

There is also a dark brown body colored saddled variety marked with whitish saddles on top of the head and along the back; and small white or blue spots or streaks on the head. Males and females are visually identical.

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby is similar to the Yellow Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) that has a more sharply cornered dorsal fin with bluish streaks.

Both species share burrows with Alpheid shrimp.

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby is best housed in a mature reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 55 gallon capacity with a thick coralline sand substrate mixed with small shells and small pieces of broken up shells and corals for them to burrow in; some live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs, and plenty of free swimming space.

When keeping the Y-bar Shrimpgoby with Pistol Shrimp, it is important to provide deep sand of at least three inches and plenty of shells and crushed coral of various sizes so the shrimp has enough building material to dig a stable burrow.

Cryptocentrus fasciatus are frequently housed as mated pairs, and with Pistol Shrimp of the Alpheus genus.  Three common types of pistol shrimp pair readily with gobies; the Fine Striped, Tiger, and Candy Cane pistol shrimp.

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby can be kept with other species in large tanks but they enjoy their own territory and can be very aggressive towards approaching tankmates. They are typically peaceful with all other types of fish.

Because this species is known to jump out of open aquariums, a tightly fitting tank lid is recommended.

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby has not been successfully bred in an aquarium environment.   Mated pairs will spawn but the fry are difficult to rear into adulthood. Mating takes place in a side corridor off the main burrow. The eggs are guarded in the side burrow by the male until they hatch out, usually at night. The tiny larvae then leave the burrow to become planktonic.

In their natural habitat, the Y-bar Shrimpgoby feeds on benthic organisms in the sea grass, small crustaceans, and planktonic matter that passes by their burrows.

In an aquarium environment they should be fed high-quality meaty items, marine algae, Spirulina, and frozen Mysis shrimp several times a day.

The Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as pre-ordered wild caught specimens from online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers. Prices for small specimens range from $39.99 to $46.50.

Y-bar Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 71.6 °F – 82.4 °F , dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 5.5″
Color Form: Blue, Brown, Black, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus)

The Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Red Sea Shrimpgoby, Blue-speckled Prawn-goby, Blue-spotted Shrimpgoby, or Harlequin Shrimpgoby is found in Indo-Pacific waters from East Africa to the Marianas and north to southern Japan. Relatively recently, it has entered the Mediterranean Sea where large populations have been observed along the coast of Israel.

Before Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus was recorded in the Mediterranean; the Harlequin Prawn-goby was restricted to the Red Sea where they occur on the open coarse sandy bottoms of clear water reefs in close association with alpheid (pistol) shrimps.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby is a peaceful, solitary species that inhabits the shallow clear water lagoons and coastal bays of their range.  Although they are most abundant in shallow water areas around runoffs, they have been observed at depths from 3 to over 95 feet where they feed on benthic invertebrate.

Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus)

The Harlequin Prawn-goby has a yellow, to tan, to grayish brown body color covered with irregular shaped greenish brown bars with narrow pale white spaces in between and large black spots along the sides in a mid-lateral row.   The head has large pink spots surrounded by blue rings and both the head and body are covered with blue dots.

Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus have a frenum and united pelvioc fins.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby is best housed in a 30 gallon or larger reef or FOWLR aquarium with a coarse coralline sand substrate and plenty of loose coral rubble and live rock for them to burrow and hide among, and plenty of swimming space. A tight fitting cover is recommended to prevent them from jumping out of the tank.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby is seldom aggressive towards other fish species but it is territorial and will fight with conspecifics unless they are a mated pair.   Although considered reef safe, they may become aggressive towards small ornamental shrimp.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby will form a symbiotic relationship with Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus) in the aquarium. The shrimp have limited eye sight and need the goby to alert them of predators. Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus stay close to the shrimp and warns it whenever predators come close to the burrow that they both share.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby has not been successfully bred in an aquarium environment. In the wild, mating takes place near the main burrow where the eggs are laid and guarded by the male. The eggs hatch at night and the larvae exit the burrow to become planktonic.

In an aquarium environment, mated pairs will breed readily and frequently.

After a short incubation period, the tiny larvae hatch out and can be reared similar to those of the Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus).

In their natural environment, Harlequin Prawn-goby feed on benthic invertebrates and prey suspended in the water column. In an aquarium environment they should be fed a diet of meaty foods including Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped table shrimp at least three times per day.

The Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as pre-ordered wild caught specimens from a few online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers. Current prices vary from around $86.50 for small specimens to $152.50 for large.

Harlequin Prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 71.6 °F – 82.4 °F , dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 5″
Color Form: Blue, Brown, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli)

The Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Blue-banded Goby is native to the cold waters off the Eastern Pacific coast of the United States, particularly on the coasts of Catalina Island and Baja Mexico. Its range extends from the islands of California to the coasts of Peru.

The Catalina Goby is found in and among the rocks of the rocky open ocean areas of their range alone, in pairs, and in small groups; often with the Catalina Zebra Goby (Lythrypnus zebra) at depths from 2 to over 250 feet. When threatened, they hide among the rocks and the spines of long spined sea urchins.

Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli)

The Catalina Goby has a bright red body with a vivid blue mask and vertical blue stripes on the front half of its body, and a yellow tint on the tail. Males are normally larger than females and have a longer dorsal fin with black tips on the longest dorsal fin rays.

Catalina Gobies are hermaphrodites. The larger males can change their sex when needed.

A single Blue-banded Goby can be housed in a nano tank of at least 10 gallon capacity with a sandy or fine coralline gravel substrate and plenty of aged live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among.   Filtration and water changes are important to remove nitrates from the tank.   Because of their cool water requirements; a chiller system, good protein skimmer and good filtration system is highly recommended.

Small groups of Lythrypnus dalli can be housed together in larger aquariums along with other peaceful species of the same general size and same water parameters. The Catalina Goby is not shy and can often be seen perched on the live rock guarding its territory. They are completely reef safe and will not harm other peaceful fish, corals, or invertebrates.

Blue-spotted jawfish, Hula fish, Rhino belly, Cataline Zebra Gobies and Ventralis Anthias are all good tank mates for Catalina gobies.

The Catalina Goby will breed in an aquarium environment.   Although each individual has the reproductive capabilities of both genders, they can be one gender at any given time.    When a Catalina Goby is unsuccessful trying to mate as a male, it can switch to a female.

Behavioral males are generally larger than females. When ready to breed, the behavioral male selects a cave where he can safely care for his brood, and lures a female inside.   After spawning, the female will attach her fertilized eggs onto the walls of the cave where the male cares for them until they hatch out. As the fry grow into adulthood, they pair off based on size and the larger fish in the pair becomes a male. Should any member of the pair dies, the remaining partner may change sex to initiate another pair off.

In their natural environment, the Catalina Goby feeds on the small meaty particles suspended in water, small crustaceans, and tiny herbaceous foods like seaweed. In an aquarium environment, they will accept almost any small, meaty prepared or frozen food including finely chopped Mysis shrimp, CYCLOP-EEZE®, and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp. They will also accept sinking pellets or flake foods when they settle into the aquarium .

The Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught specimens from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small 1/2″ to 1″; Medium 1″ to 1-1/2″. Prices for small size specimens start at around $ $ 79.99

NOTE: This species thrives in water temperatures between 60° F and 70° F; It cannot acclimate to the warmer conditions. Although the Catalina Goby may tolerate warmer, tropical temperatures found in most reef aquariums, it will be only for a short time.   When housed in tropical temperatures for extended periods, they experience decreased resistance to disease and will ultimately die.

Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli)

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon nano tank
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 60.2 – 71.6° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 2.5″
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Eastern Pacific, Baha Mexico
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: up to 3 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Expert

Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus)

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Blue-speckled Shrimpgoby, Green shrimpgoby, Green shrimp goby, Bluespotted Shrimpgoby, or Eight-barred Shrimp-gobyGoby is found across the Indo west Pacific from East Africa to the Marianas, north to Southern Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef.

In the Western Pacific their range extends from the Andaman Sea east to Solomon Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Western Australia and New Caledonia. They are extremely common in silty shallow areas around the Tanzanian coasts.

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby is found in the shallow intertidal zone of the coastal bays and lagoons of their range, usually in areas around runoffs, in close association with alpheid shrimps in depths from 2 to over 50 feet.

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby is most commonly observed in protected shallow water areas with scattered sea grasses where they share their burrows with alpheid shrimp that they have symbiotic relationships with.

The best way to observe Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus in the wild is on a low tide in these grassy shallows.

Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus)

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby has a grayish brown body color with several irregular vertical greenish brown bars with narrow pale spaces in between and large black spots horizontally lined up on sides.   There are numerous blue and red to pink spots on head, sides, and lower parts of the body, and red spots on the face that form diagonal lines. Their pelvic fins are united with the presence of frenum. Males and females are indistinguishable.

Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus can easily be confused with the morphologically similar Target shrimp goby, which lives in a similar habitat.

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby is best housed in a mature FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or fine coralline substrate, plenty of aged live rock and loose coral rubble for them to burrow among, and plenty of free swimming space.

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby can be housed with other peaceful species, however it is territorial with its burrow and except for mated pairs, will fight with conspecifics.   In larger tanks, they are less quarrelsome.

Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus will form a symbiotic relationship with Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus) in the aquarium. The shrimp have limited eye sight and need the goby to alert them of predators. The Blue-speckled prawn-goby stays in close proximity to the shrimp and warns it whenever predators come close to the burrow that they both share.

The Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus) has not been successfully bred in an aquarium environment.   In the wild, mating takes place in a side corridor off the main burrow where the eggs are laid and guarded by the male. The eggs hatch at night and the larvae exit the burrow to become planktonic.

In an aquarium environment, the mated pairs will usually breed readily and frequently. After a short incubation period, the larvae should initially be fed S strain rotifers. After about fourteen days or so they should be switched over to larger L Strain rotifers, and after 28 days, they can be offered newly hatched baby brine shrimp.

In their natural environment, the Blue-speckled prawn-goby feed on benthic organisms in the sea grass and planktonic matter like Amphipods, Copepods, Daphnia salina, Invertebrates, Worms, Zoobenthos, Zooplankton that passes by their burrows.

In an aquarium environment, they can be offered meaty foods including mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped table shrimp, frozen carnivore preparations and sinking pellet foods. They should be fed at least two times per day.

Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught specimens from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers. Easily confused with the Target shrimp goby, they are usually acquired on a special order basis.

Blue-speckled prawn-goby (Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 71.6 °F – 82.4 °F , dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 3.95″
Color Form: Blue, Brown, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)

The Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Yellow Prawn Goby, Yellow Watchman Goby, Sulphur Goby, or Banded Prawn Goby is found in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, the Central West Pacific Ocean, and the Red Sea.

Their range extends from the Yaeyama Islands, Japan to Singapore and the southern Great Barrier Reef; Palau and Truk in Micronesia.

There are currently 35 recognized species of Watchman Gobies in the genus Cryptocentrus that are generally known as Shrimp Goby or Prawn Goby, all native to the Pacific and Indian oceans, which we have listed below in alphabetical order:

Cryptocentrus albidorsus (Yanagisawa, 1978) (White-backed shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus bulbiceps (Whitley, 1953) (Bluelined shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus (Herre, 1933) (Blue-speckled prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus caeruleopunctatus (Rüppell, 1830) (Harlequin prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus callopterus H. M. Smith, 1945
Cryptocentrus cebuanus Herre, 1927 (Cebu shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus cinctus (Herre, 1936) (Yellow prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus cryptocentrus (Valenciennes, 1837) (Ninebar prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus cyanospilotus G. R. Allen & J. E. Randall, 2011 (Bluespot shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus cyanotaenia (Bleeker, 1853) (Lagoon shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus diproctotaenia Bleeker, 1876
Cryptocentrus epakros G. R. Allen, 2015 (Pointedfin shrimpgoby) [1]
Cryptocentrus fasciatus (Playfair (fr), 1867) (Y-bar shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus flavus Yanagisawa, 1978
Cryptocentrus inexplicatus (Herre, 1934) (Inexplicable shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus insignitus (Whitley, 1956) (Signal goby)
Cryptocentrus leonis H. M. Smith, 1931
Cryptocentrus leptocephalus Bleeker, 1876 (Pink-speckled shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus leucostictus (Günther, 1872) (Saddled prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus lutheri Klausewitz, 1960 (Luther’s prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus malindiensis (J. L. B. Smith, 1959)
Cryptocentrus maudae Fowler, 1937 (Maude’s shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus melanopus (Bleeker, 1860)
Cryptocentrus multicinctus G. R. Allen & J. E. Randall, 2011 (Multibarred shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus nigrocellatus (Yanagisawa, 1978)
Cryptocentrus niveatus (Valenciennes, 1837)
Cryptocentrus octofasciatus Regan, 1908 (Blue-speckled prawn-goby)
Cryptocentrus pavoninoides (Bleeker, 1849)
Cryptocentrus polyophthalmus (Bleeker, 1853)
Cryptocentrus pretiosus (Rendahl (de), 1924)
Cryptocentrus shigensis N. Kuroda, 1956 (Shige shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus strigilliceps (D. S. Jordan & Seale, 1906) (Target shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus tentaculatus Hoese & Larson, 2004 (Tentacle shrimpgoby)
Cryptocentrus wehrlei Fowler, 1937
Cryptocentrus yatsui Tomiyama, 1936

The Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) is a shy, curious species that is found alone, in pairs, and sharing burrows with “pistol shrimps” in the sandy bottoms of the coastal reefs, mangrove swamps, lagoons, and tidal pools of their range, at depths from 3 to over 80 feet.

The Spotted Watchman Goby is a color variety of the Yellow Prawn Goby found in the Philippines that forms symbiotic relationships with alpheid shrimps; often sharing burrows with them.

Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)

The Spotted Watchman Goby is an elongated species with large protruding eyes set high on the head, and a large turned down mouth.   Its body color can vary greatly in appearance from brilliant yellow, to gray, to a subdued brown with small iridescent blue spots that decorate the body, head, and fins in a jewel like pattern.

The Spotted Watchman Goby is believed to be sexually dichromatic. The males are a bright

yellow color and the females are grayish colored, with both having blue dots along the body.

The Spotted Watchman Goby can be housed in a mature FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or fine coralline gravel substrate, plenty of live rock and loose coral rubble for them to burrow among, and plenty of swimming space. They have been known to jump from their tank so a tight fitting cover is recommended, especially for

Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) Pair

smaller aquariums.

The Spotted Watchman Goby or Yellow Prawn Goby is seldom aggressive towards other peaceful species, however it is territorial with its burrow and except for mated pairs, will fight with its own kind. In larger tanks, they are less quarrelsome with conspecifics.

The Spotted Watchman Goby will often form a symbiotic relationship with Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus) in the aquarium and share the same burrow.   The shrimp have limited eye sight and need the goby to alert them of predators. The watchman goby warns the shrimp when predators are close and in turn uses the shrimps burrow as a shelter.

Cryptocentrus cinctus have been successfully bred in an aquarium environment.   Mated pairs breed readily and frequently. The tiny eggs hatch out after only four days of incubation.   Initially they should be fed S strain rotifers.   After about fourteen days they should be switched over to L Strain rotifers and after 28 days, they can be offered newly hatched baby brine shrimp.

The Spotted Watchman Goby is a carnivore that will accept most meaty foods including mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped table shrimp, frozen carnivore preparations and sinking pellet foods. They should be fed at least two times per day.

The Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) is commonly available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught or commercially bred specimens 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″. Prices for medium size specimens start at around $ 39.99.

Spotted Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-79° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 4″
Color Form: Blue, Brown, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus)

The Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Citron Clown Goby, Clown Goby, Citron Goby, Poison Goby, or Yellow Coral Goby is native to the Indian Ocean.

In the Indo-West Pacific, their range extends from the Red Sea south to Delagoa Bay, Mozambique on the coast of Africa and east to Samoa, north to southern Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Gobiodon citrinus are common among the coral reefs of Sri Lanka and the Coral Sea.

The Citrinis Clown Goby is a reef dwelling species that inhabits the coral rich areas of the lagoons and outer reefs of their range where they live among the branches of stony corals at depths from 3 to over 65 feet.

Gobiodon citrinus are frequently observed sitting alone or in pairs among the branches of Acropora corals and are believed to have a loose symbiotic relationship with them by controlling detrimental pests like Acropora eating flatworms, which can adversely affect the health of the corals.    In the wild, they lay their eggs on the undersides of Acropora coral branches which causes some tissue recession on the corals.

Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus)

The Citrinis Clown Goby is a peaceful species that has a variable body color from bright yellow, to yellowish green, to an almost black dark brown with two vertical blue lines through the eyes and another two behind the head at the gills, and a horizontal blue line that runs along the base of the dorsal fin. They have a small dark spot on the upper pectoral base. Males and females are indistinguishable and produce a toxic mucus.

The Citrinis Clown Goby is a hardy species that can adapt to a variety of tank conditions however they are best housed in a mature reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 20 gallon capacity, with a sandy or fine gravel substrate, plenty of aged live rock for them to hide and graze upon and stable water conditions.

Although the Citrinis Clown Goby is considered reef safe, they may nip at the polyps or bases of Acropora sp. and potentially other SPS corals.  In a large reef aquarium heavily stocked with colonies of polyp corals and other soft corals, the Citrinis Clown Goby usually presents no problem as they enjoy swimming and hiding amongst the polyps.

Gobiodon citrinus are rarely aggressive towards other fish species but will fight with its on kind in smaller tanks. They trive when housed with other peaceful species or in small groups in large established reef aquariums.

Citrinus Clown Gobies readily spawn in an aquarium environment when kept in a pair or in small groups. The female lays her eggs in a crevice or on the underside of a coral branch where the male guards them until they hatch out. Because of their small size and specific feeding requirements, the tiny planktonic larvae are extremely difficult to raise into adulthood.

In their natural habitat, Citrinus Clown Gobies feed on mucous polyps of Acropora sp., flatworms, small invertebrates, and zooplankton. In a mature aquarium environment with plenty of live rock, they will eagerly consume a variety of live and frozen foods including brine shrimp, frozen mysis shrimp, chopped table shrimp, and commercially prepared frozen carnivore foods.

The Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus) is available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught specimens from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 1/4″ to 3/4″; Medium: 3/4″ to 1-1/4″ ; Large: 1-1/4″ to 2″. Prices for medium size Sri Lanka specimens range from $43.99 to $ 69.99.

Citrinis Clown Goby (Gobiodon citrinus)

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful to Midly Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 74-79° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 2.6″
Color Form: Blue, Tan, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Western Pacific, Indian Ocean
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

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