Page 260 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

258 MARINE FISH DIRECTORY

Chaetodon semilarvatus Chaetodon vagabundus
FEEDING ADVANTAGE
Red-Lined Butterflyfish Vagabond Butterflyfish
The long snout seen in many butterflyfish,
ORIGINS The distribution of this butterflyfish is ORIGINS From the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean especially the Long-Nosed Butterflyfish
restricted to the Red Sea. and past Indonesia into the Pacific. (Forcipiger longirostris), is an effective tool
SIZE 7 ⁄2 in (19 cm). SIZE 6 ⁄4 in (17 cm). that enables these fish to probe the reef for
1
3
DIET Should take meaty foods. DIET Should take meaty foods. edible items. The length of the Black Long-
WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline Nosed’s snout is roughly a third of the fish’s
(pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. total length. This means that it can reach
TEMPERAMENT Territorial. TEMPERAMENT Territorial. farther into the coral than its relatives, giving
it an inherent advantage in the quest for
Spines food. Being adaptable in its feeding habits,
apparent this butterflyfish is one of the easier species
on the fin to wean onto substitute foods in aquariums.

A series of red, slightly curving lines run down the Although the pattern of body markings is similar
body of this fish, contrasting with its overall yellow to that of the Threadfin Butterflyfish (see p.257),
coloration. On the face, there is an irregular black the Vagabond can be identified at a glance by the
spot that extends around the eyes. When choosing black stripe extending down from the dorsal fin
a fish, check for signs of protozoan infections, and a smaller black band across the tail. Vagabonds
since butterflyfish are prone to such diseases. are considered harder to keep than Threadfins.

Chaetodon mertensii
Mertens’s Butterflyfish

ORIGINS Range extends from the Great Barrier Reef, off
Australia’s eastern coast, into the Pacific Ocean.
SIZE 5 ⁄2 in (14 cm).
1
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-and-
white 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.

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