Page 261 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

BUTTERFLYFISH 259

Chaetodon unimaculatus Chaetodon tinkeri
Teardrop Butterflyfish Tinker’s Butterflyfish The distinctive appearance of Tinker’s Butterflyfish
means that it is easy to identify. The typical eye
ORIGINS The coast of East Africa eastward, via the ORIGINS This butterflyfish is another of the striking stripe is yellow rather than black, while the
Indian Ocean and Indonesia, to the Pacific. species to be found in the Red Sea. majority of the body is white and patterned with
SIZE 8 in (20 cm). SIZE 6 ⁄4 in (16 cm). spots. An oblique dark patch extends from near
1
DIET Should take meaty foods. DIET Should take meaty foods. the front of the dorsal fin to below the caudal
WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline peduncle. Unfortunately, Tinker’s Butterflyfish
(pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.2–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. cannot be sexed visually. Like all butterflyfish, this
TEMPERAMENT Territorial. TEMPERAMENT Territorial. species needs well-oxygenated water to thrive.
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.

Heniochus acuminatus Forcipiger longirostris Chelmon rostratus
Bannerfish Long-Nosed Butterflyfish Copper-Band Butterflyfish

ORIGINS Extends across the Red Sea through the Indian ORIGINS Northern and western parts of the Indian ORIGINS From East Africa, via the Indian Ocean and
Ocean and out into the Pacific. Ocean, off East Africa, and in the Pacific region. Indonesia, into the Pacific.
3
SIZE 10 in (25 cm). SIZE 10 ⁄4 in (27 cm). SIZE 8 in (20 cm).
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 Tolerant if kept in a shoal. TEMPERAMENT Territorial. TEMPERAMENT Territorial.
These butterflyfish are particularly eye-catching, This species has four coppery-orange bands edged
thanks to the stunning elongation of the dorsal with black running down the side of the body.
fin. The body bears two black bands separated There is a black circle with a white surround high
by a silvery-white area, with the base up at the rear of the body and black markings on
of the dorsal fin and the caudal the tail. Butterflyfish may be crowded out by other
fin varying from yellow to fish at feeding time. Try offering food at several
yellow-orange. This locations at once to make sure they get their share.
latter feature helps
to distinguish the Bands
Bannerfish from evenly
the Moorish Idol spaced
(see p.281). The black markings on this fish are confined to
a triangular area extending down from the base
Face has black- of the dorsal fin to the level of the eye and then
and-white from here in a straight line to the end of the snout.
coloration 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.

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