[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Marine Fish – Butterflyfish

Directory of Marine Fish

Butterflyfish

The elegant swimming motion of these fish has been likened to the flight of butterflies fluttering around flowers in the garden. As with their insect counterparts, butterflyfish also tend to be brightly colored, making them an extremely popular choice for the home marine aquarium. However, some species that subsist entirely on coral polyps in the wild are difficult to switch to substitute diets. Good water quality is absolutely vital when keeping any butterflyfish, since they will readily show signs of illness if the pH starts to fall, long before other fish sharing the same tank become affected.

Latticed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesii)

• ORIGINS: Ranges from East Africa, via the Indo-Pacific region, into the Pacific Ocean.
• SIZE: 6 3⁄4 in (17 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

Cross-hatched patterning, a black band down the face, and a blue area between the eyes all help to identify this species. In addition, the caudal fin displays a vertical black bar and is edged with yellow. Like other members of the group, Latticed Butterflyfish cannot be kept safely with corals or other invertebrates, since they will destroy them.

Double-Saddle Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ulietensis)

• ORIGINS: Extends from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef northward and eastward through the Pacific.
• SIZE: 6 3⁄4 in (17 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

The prominent black spot on the caudal peduncle, which is otherwise yellowish, is characteristic of the Double-Saddle, but the key feature of this species is the white, saddlelike area extending down the sides of the body from the center of the back. Butterflyfish can be distinguished from angelfish because they do not have a spine on the gill cover. Butterflyfish are diurnal by nature.

Black-Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus)

• ORIGINS: Ranges over a wide area, from the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean and into the Pacific.
• SIZE: 6 3⁄4 in (17 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

The Black-Back has yellow edging around its body and a blackish area on its back. The black patch may be more extensive in some individuals than others, probably reflecting regional variations. It is best to wait for several months before introducing Black-Backs or any other butterflyfish to a new tank, because they will adapt much better to a mature tank system with a stable water chemistry

Threadfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)

• ORIGINS: Ranges from East Africa through the Indian Ocean and into the Pacific.
• SIZE: 6 3⁄4 in (17 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT Territorial.

This fish often has: a threadlike extension at the back of the dorsal fin. The front of the body is white, but the rear part is yellow, including the caudal fin. There are false eye-spots on the dorsal fin, while the real eyes are hidden by a black band. Butterflyfish have not yet been bred successfully in aquariums. In the wild, they spawn toward dusk near the surface, and their young feed on plankton.

Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium)

• ORIGINS: Ranges from East Africa through the Indian ocean and into the Pacific.
• SIZE: 6 3⁄4 in (17 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

The prominent black area on the rear upperparts of this fish is separated from the rest of the body by a white band that curves down to the caudal peduncle. Orange-yellow markings occur on the face and throat and also along the edges of the caudal fin. As with other species, Saddlebacks are best housed singly; otherwise, disputes will occur.

Red-Tail Butterflyfish (Chaetodon collare)

• ORIGINS: From East Africa, via Indonesia, north to Japan and south to Australia’s eastern coast.
• SIZE: 7 in (18 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

The most obvious feature of this species of butterflyfish is the red tail, which has a narrow black-and-blue border at the rear. A striking white band extends down each side of the head behind the eyes. The overall coloration of the Red-Tail Butterflyfish is unusually dark for a member of this group, although there is an attractive diamondshaped pattern stretching across most of the body

NIBBLERS OF THE REEF

The natural diet of butterflyfish, such as this Spotband Butterflyfish (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus), is rich in coral polyps and sponges, which the fish nibble with their extended jaws. As youngsters, however, some butterflyfish act as cleaners, using their mouthparts to remove parasites from other reef residents. The delicate jaws are easily damaged, so these fish need to be transported in large bags. Any abrasion to the mouth may cause them to refuse to eat after a move. Brine shrimp and worms can often be used to wean butterflyfish onto artificial diets.

Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula)

• ORIGINS: Extends from the Red Sea eastward past Indonesia, reaching as far as the Pacific Ocean.
• SIZE: 8 1⁄4 in (21 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

One of the larger butterflyfish, the Raccoon has a distinguishing broad, black, sloping band that extends in a curve from the dorsal fin to the gill covers. Yellow-orange lines run along the edges of this band, while a white stripe across the top of the head separates it from the dark patch around the eyes, which resembles a mask. This gives the face a vaguely raccoonlike appearance. There is a large, black spot at the base of the tail.

Red-Lined Butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus)

• ORIGINS: The distribution of this butterflyfish is restricted to the Red Sea.
• SIZE: 7 1⁄2 in (19 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

A series of red, slightly curving lines run down the body of this fish, contrasting with its overall yellow coloration. On the face, there is an irregular black spot that extends around the eyes. When choosing a fish, check for signs of protozoan infections, since butterflyfish are prone to such diseases.

Vagabond Butterflyfish (Chaetodon vagabundus)

• ORIGINS: From the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean and past Indonesia into the Pacific.
• SIZE: 6 3⁄4 in (17 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

Although the pattern of body markings is similar to that of the Threadfin Butterflyfish (see p.257), the Vagabond can be identified at a glance by the black stripe extending down from the dorsal fin and a smaller black band across the tail. Vagabonds are considered harder to keep than Threadfins.

FEEDING ADVANTAGE

The long snout seen in many butterflyfish, especially the Long-Nosed Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris), is an effective tool that enables these fish to probe the reef for edible items. The length of the Black LongNosed’s snout is roughly a third of the fish’s total length. This means that it can reach farther into the coral than its relatives, giving it an inherent advantage in the quest for food. Being adaptable in its feeding habits, this butterflyfish is one of the easier species to wean onto substitute foods in aquariums.

Mertens’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon mertensii)

• ORIGINS: Range extends from the Great Barrier Reef, off Australia’s eastern coast, into the Pacific Ocean.
• SIZE: 5 1⁄2 in (14 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

This striking butterflyfish has variable black-andwhite patterning on its flanks. The rear of the body varies from yellow to orange and is bordered by a narrow black and white band; the caudal fin is similar in color. There is a distinctive black spot just in front of and below the dorsal fin, and a vertical black stripe runs through each eye. The coloration of this species, as with other butterflyfish, typically changes at night. This helps to provide additional camouflage at a time when the fish would naturally retreat among the coral polyps for protection.When raised, the dorsal fin has a distinct serrated appearance. Mertens’s is one of the smaller butterflyfish species. When buying, it is best to avoid exceptionally small individuals, because it can be difficult to acclimatize them successfully to home aquarium surroundings.

Teardrop Butterflyfish (Chaetodon unimaculatus)

• ORIGINS: The coast of East Africa eastward, via the Indian Ocean and Indonesia, to the Pacific.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

The smudged appearance of the large black spot in the center of the upper body is responsible for the Teardrop Butterflyfish’s name. As with most butterflyfish, there is also a black stripe running through the eyes. Narrow black edging extends along the rear of the body, crossing the caudal peduncle. The caudal fin is unusual in that it is essentially unpigmented, with a clear appearance.

Tinker’s Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tinkeri)

• ORIGINS: This butterflyfish is another of the striking species to be found in the Red Sea.
• SIZE: 6 1⁄4 in (16 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

The distinctive appearance of Tinker’s Butterflyfish means that it is easy to identify. The typical eye stripe is yellow rather than black, while the majority of the body is white and patterned with spots. An oblique dark patch extends from near the front of the dorsal fin to below the caudal peduncle. Unfortunately, Tinker’s Butterflyfish cannot be sexed visually. Like all butterflyfish, this species needs well-oxygenated water to thrive.

Bannerfish (Heniochus acuminatus)

• ORIGINS: Extends across the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean and out into the Pacific.
• SIZE: 10 in (25 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Tolerant if kept in a shoal.

These butterflyfish are particularly eye-catching, thanks to the stunning elongation of the dorsal fin. The body bears two black bands separated by a silvery-white area, with the base of the dorsal fin and the caudal fin varying from yellow to yellow-orange. This latter feature helps to distinguish the Bannerfish from the Moorish Idol.

Long-Nosed Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris)

• ORIGINS: Northern and western parts of the Indian Ocean, off East Africa, and in the Pacific region.
• SIZE: 10 3⁄4 in (27 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

The black markings on this fish are confined to a triangular area extending down from the base of the dorsal fin to the level of the eye and then from here in a straight line to the end of the snout. The black dot just below the caudal peduncle is a false eye-spot. These and other butterflyfish must not be mixed with aggressive species, such as triggerfish and lionfish.

Copper-Band Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)

• ORIGINS: From East Africa, via the Indian Ocean and Indonesia, into the Pacific.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Should take meaty foods.
• WATER: Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

This species has four coppery-orange bands edged with black running down the side of the body. There is a black circle with a white surround high up at the rear of the body and black markings on the tail. Butterflyfish may be crowded out by other fish at feeding time. Try offering food at several locations at once to make sure they get their share.

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