Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish.
Diet: Difficult to feed. Most specimens are reluctant to take food in captivity. Try vitamin-enriched live brine shrimp, clam on the half shell, or mashed squid or shrimp on a bleached stony coral skeleton. Once eating, offer crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and frozen preparations for carnivores. It has a small mouth, so it food must be finely chopped.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l)
Narrative: Not suitable for the reef aquarium. Will eat stony coral and gorgonian polyps. This handsome but delicate fish is best kept with peaceful species and fishes that will not compete with it for food, at least until it is eating normal aquarium fare. A male-female pair can be kept together, but members of the same sex may quarrel. Usually indifferent toward its tankmates, with the possible exception of other Butterflyfishes. Juveniles have two eyespots on the back of the body and dorsal fin until they reach 1in. in length.
Common Names: Collare Butterflyfish (Pakistan Butterflyfish, Red Tail Butterflyfish) Care Level: Intermediate Adult Size: 6.3in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indian Ocean
Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish. Diet: Varied diet, including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and frozen preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l)
Narrative: Can be housed in the reef aquarium with caution. Can be housed with certain soft corals but should not be kept with stony corals. Will nip at many of the sessile invertebrates that grow on live rock. A richly pigmented and distinctive species, this Butterflyfish can do well in the home aquarium but may require special selection and acclimation. It eats coral polyps in the wild, and individuals vary in their willingness to accept substitute foods, with smaller specimens often proving more difficult to feed than medium-sized fish. Often shuns food for several days in a new aquarium. Is best kept singly, as conspecifics often behave aggressively toward each other. To keep two individuals together, add them to a larger tank simultaneously. Adults should be provided with plenty of swimming room.
Common Names: Saddled Butterflyfish (Saddleback Butterflyfish) Care Level: Moderately difficult Adult Size: 9.0in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish. Diet: Varied diet, including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and frozen preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 180gal (681l)
Narrative: Add to a reef aquarium with caution. Can be housed with certain soft corals but should not be kept with stony corals. Will nip at many of the sessile invertebrates that grow on live rock. Regard by some as a challenging species, the Saddleback Butterflyfish varies in its suitability to aquarium life, depending in part, on the age of the individual selected. Smaller specimens are less likely to feed in captivity than medium-sized individuals (over 4in. in total length), while large specimens require plenty of swimming space and optimal water quality to thrive in captivity. Will often acclimate more readily if kept in an aquarium with lush filamentous algae growth. Only one specimen should be housed per tank. Unless a male-female pair is acquired.
Common Names: Falcula Butterflyfish (Saddle-back Butterflyfish Care Level: Moderately Easy Adult Size: 7.8in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indian Ocean
Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish. Diet: Varied diet, including meaty foods-marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, krill, and frozen preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 100gal (379l)
Narrative: Smaller individuals (under 3 in) can be kept in a reef aquarium with soft corals, but will become more destructive as they grow larger. Will pick at stony corals, sea anemones, and mushroom anemones. The Falcula Butterflyfish is more durable than some of its relatives. Acclimated individuals will actively compete for food with other aggressive feeders, more than many of the other Butterflyfishes. However, some individuals may be reluctant to feed on normal aquarium fare. It is possible to induce finicky individuals to begin feeding by offering them inexpensive anemones to pick at.
Common Names: Bluestripe butterflyfish Care Level: Moderately difficult Adult Size: 5.1in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Hawaiian Islands
Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish. Diet: Varied diet, including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, krill, and frozen preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l)
Narrative: Add to a reef aquarium with caution. Can be kept with soft corals but is likely to pick on both small- and large-polyped stony corals. A member of the Butterflyfishes that has a 50/50 chance of survival in captivity. Unfortunately, it often adopts its fright or nocturnal colour pattern during the day when held in captivity, and takes on a dirty yellow or blotchy colour overall, with blue lines. It is a moderately hardy species, but if kept with overly aggressive tankmates, it is likely to hide and may not come out for feeding, and waste away.
Common Names: Klein’s Butterflyfish (Brown Butterflyfish, Corallicola Butterflyfish, Blacklip Butterflyfish) Care Level: Moderately difficult Adult Size: 5.5in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish. Diet: Varied diet, including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, krill, and frozen preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l)
Narrative: Add to a reef aquarium with caution. Can be kept in a reef aquarium if it is well fed and coral tankmates are selected carefully. Best kept with some of the more noxious soft corals, but will eat leather coral polyps. This is perhaps the most durable member of the butterflyfish family. Will accept almost any food offered once it has been acclimated, although it should be fed a varied diet for good health and colouration. Can be kept with other butterflyfishes, including members of its own species if they are introduced simultaneously. It may also be housed with moderately aggressive fishes, as long as it is introduced before its more-belligerent tankmates.
Common Names: Lined Butterflyfish Care Level: Moderately difficult Adult Size: 11.8in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately aggressive
Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish. Diet: Meaty foods, including vitamin-enriched live brine shrimp, clam on the half shell, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and frozen preparations for carnivores.
Tank Size For Adult: 180gal (681l)
Narrative: Not suitable for the reef aquarium as it eats both stony and soft coral polyps, as well as sea anemones and mushroom anemones. The hardiness of this species caries: some specimens readily accept most foods, while others are finicky and need special attention. Most individuals begin feeding if left in a well-maintained aquarium and provided with a wide range of first foods. Smaller to medium sized fish (2 to 6 in.) tend to acclimate more quickly to captive life. Once settled, it is an aggressive feeder that can be kept with more pugnacious tankmates. Keep only one per tank and do not house with similar coloured butterflyfishes.
Common Names: Racoon Butterflyfish Care Level: Moderately easy Adult Size: 7.9in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately peaceful.
Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish. Diet: Varied diet, including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and frozen preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 100gal (379l)
Narrative: Not suitable for the reef aquarium. A robust species that will greedily attack and eat even large, stinging sea anemones. On the reef it feeds primarily at night, but is also active during “light-time” hours in the aquarium. Occasionally, very small and very large individuals may have trouble acclimating to captivity. If a specimen is reluctant to feed, place a small anemone in the tank – most individuals cannot resist nibbling on these invertebrates. More than one adult can be kept in the same large tank, but they will chase each other, and other members of their family, on occasion – usually without damage. It is peaceful with other fish species.
Common Names: Blackback Butterflyfish (Melannotus Butterflyfish) Care Level: Moderately easy Adult Size: 5.9in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo-West-Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish. Diet: Varied diet, including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, krill, and frozen preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l)
Narrative: Not suitable for the reef aquarium. Naturally preys on soft corals but may also nip at stony corals in captivity. A desirable butterflyfish that typically adapts easily to life in the home aquarium. It will accept a wide range of aquarium foods and has a rather bold disposition. Unless acquired as a pair, this species is best kept singly, as it is more likely to chase conspecifics than many other butterflyfish species. However, it is rarely aggressive toward other members of its family, except for those with similar colouration. Provide plenty of suitable shelter sites and ample swimming room.
Common Names: Merten’s Butterflyfish (Pearlscale Butterflyfish Chevron butterflyfish)
Care Level: Moderately easy
Adult Size: 4.9in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: western and South Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Relatively Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish.
Diet: Varied diet, including marine algae and Spirulina, as well as meaty foods.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l)
Narrative: Can be kept in a reef tank with some of the more noxious soft corals. This is a fairly hardy butterflyfish, acclimating quickly to aquarium life if kept in peaceful surroundings. Marine algae comprise a large part of its natural diet, making it relatively easy to feed. Some of the dried and frozen preparations that incorporate marine seaweeds or the blue-green algae Spirulina make good staple foods, although these may be rejected by newly acquired individuals. May behave aggressively toward conspecifics and other members of the “xanthurus complex.”
