Page 259 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

BUTTERFLYFISH 257

Chaetodon auriga Chaetodon ephippium Chaetodon collare
Threadfin Butterflyfish Saddleback Butterflyfish Red-Tail Butterflyfish

ORIGINS Ranges from East Africa through the Indian ORIGINS Ranges from East Africa through the Indian ORIGINS From East Africa, via Indonesia, north to Japan
Ocean and into the Pacific. ocean and into the Pacific. and south to Australia’s eastern coast.
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SIZE 6 ⁄4 in (17 cm). SIZE 6 ⁄4 in (17 cm). SIZE 7 in (18 cm).
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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.
This fish often has a threadlike extension at the The most obvious feature of this species of
back of the dorsal fin. The front of the body is butterflyfish is the red tail, which has a narrow
white, but the rear part is yellow, including the black-and-blue border at the rear. A striking white
caudal fin. There are false eye-spots on the dorsal band extends down each side of the head behind
fin, while the real eyes are hidden by a black band. the eyes. The overall coloration of the Red-Tail
Butterflyfish have not yet been bred successfully in Butterflyfish is unusually dark for a member of this
aquariums. In the wild, they spawn toward dusk near group, although there is an attractive diamond-
the surface, and their young feed on plankton. shaped pattern stretching across most of the body.

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.

Chaetodon lunula
NIBBLERS OF THE REEF
Raccoon Butterflyfish One of the larger butterflyfish, the Raccoon has
The natural diet of butterflyfish, such as a distinguishing broad, black, sloping band that
this Spotband Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ORIGINS Extends from the Red Sea eastward past extends in a curve from the dorsal fin to the gill
punctatofasciatus), is rich in coral polyps Indonesia, reaching as far as the Pacific Ocean. covers. Yellow-orange lines run along the edges
and sponges, which the fish nibble with their SIZE 8 ⁄4 in (21 cm). of this band, while a white stripe across the top
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extended jaws. As youngsters, however, some DIET Should take meaty foods. of the head separates it from the dark patch
butterflyfish act as cleaners, using their WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline around the eyes, which resembles a mask. This
mouthparts to remove parasites from other (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. gives the face a vaguely raccoonlike appearance.
reef residents. The delicate jaws are easily TEMPERAMENT Territorial. There is a large, black spot at the base of the tail.
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.

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