Page 258 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

256 MARINE FISH DIRECTORY

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.

The Philippine Butterflyfish (Chaetodon adiergastos) in
this shoal display the rather flattened, oval body shape
that is characteristic of the group as a whole.

Chaetodon rafflesii Chaetodon ulietensis Chaetodon melannotus
Latticed Butterflyfish Double-Saddle Butterflyfish Black-Back Butterflyfish

ORIGINS Ranges from East Africa, via the Indo-Pacific ORIGINS Extends from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef ORIGINS Ranges over a wide area, from the Red Sea
region, into the Pacific Ocean. northward and eastward through the Pacific. through the Indian Ocean and into the Pacific.
SIZE 6 ⁄4 in (17 cm). SIZE 6 ⁄4 in (17 cm). SIZE 6 ⁄4 in (17 cm).
3
3
3
DIET Should take meaty foods. DIET Should take meaty foods. DIET Should take meaty foods.
WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26 –28°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline
(pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Territorial. TEMPERAMENT Territorial. 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.

The Black-Back has yellow edging around its body
Cross-hatched patterning, a black band down the and a blackish area on its back. The black patch
face, and a blue area between the eyes all help to may be more extensive in some individuals than
identify this species. In addition, the caudal fin others, probably reflecting regional variations. It is
displays a vertical black bar and is edged with best to wait for several months before introducing
yellow. Like other members of the group, Latticed Black-Backs or any other butterflyfish to a new
Butterflyfish cannot be kept safely with corals or tank, because they will adapt much better to a
other invertebrates, since they will destroy them. mature tank system with a stable water chemistry.

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