Michael, S. W., 2004. Prognathodes spp., the Deepwater Butterflyfishes. Remember, a butterflyfish is ever curious, and they love exploring your tank with their mouths. Our site uses cookies. My experience has been that both species of Forcipger are completely safe with corals, although Scott W. Michael reports that F. flavissimus may occasionally nip at large polyped stony corals, and that F. longirostris is the safer of the two species in reef aquariums (Michael, 2004). They will eat corals and pick at many small invertebrates including feather dusters and sea anemones. Rightfully so! Chaetodon ulietensis. Mention a butterflyfish and most reefers will cringe akin to their SPS polyps retracting. Common Names:Falcula Butterflyfish, Blackwedged Butterflyfish, Saddle Back Butterflyfish, Sickle Butterflyfish, True Falcula Butterflyfish . Like other butterfly fish, it lives around the coral reefs, and is ideally shaped to poke into crevasses for invertebrates to eat. Their diet in the wild consists entirely of plankton, making them a nearly perfect “reef safe” butterfly in captivity. In smaller tanks they can be victims of aggression from larger butterflyfishes, angelfishes, or surgeonfish, so their tankmates should be chosen carefully. Chaetodon melapterus. There is only one fish in this genus, the Schooling Bannerfish (H. diphreutes), that is considered relatively safe to include in a coral reef aquarium. The Yellow Pyramid Butterfly (H. polylepis), often simply called THE Pyramid Butterfly, is found across the tropical Pacific Ocean. will eventually accept flake, pellet, and just about any other food offered, although at first they may be a bit shy and need enticing with live brine, frozen mysis shrimp, or frozen copepods. Fortunately, both have somewhat similar behavior and requirements in reef aquariums. Chaetodon mitratus, the Mitratus Butterfly. diphreutes” or “Hawaiian caught”, it may not necessarily be the case. My best advice is to buy several good books (see the references at the end of this article) and compare photos of both species to get a good feel for the differences between the two. 10 products. Some individuals may very clearly belong to one species or another while a few individuals may stymie even the most seasoned fishkeepers. On rare occasions H. diphreutes may pick at corals, but they are one of the least likely butterflyfishes to do so. There are two Chelmon species that look very similar to the Copper Banded Butterfly called the Marginalis Butterfly (C. marginalis) and the Mueller’s Butterfly (C. muelleri). Another trick I like to use is to chop up prawn into a very fine paste and smear it into the crevices of a small chunk of live rock to simulate their natural prey. In captivity the Roaops spp. Leave the bad ones in the FOWLR set ups where their jaws are kept miles away from the nearest coral. The Declivis Butterflyfish is a hardy but docile fish that requires a well-established system with peaceful fish, plenty of live rock and sandy substrate. The Indian Butterflyfish is said to be one of the reef safe fish as it does well in a coral-rich tank, but it may harm some species of hard corals and also will attack some shrimps and other moving invertebrates. Learn more about the yellow longnose butterflyfish's (forceps fish) distribution, habitat, characteristics, compatibility, diet, ... 10 Best Angelfish That Are Reef Tank Safe Yellow Tang Diet & Feeding Profile - Butterflyfish Family Chaetodontidae Black and White Bandit Angelfish Profile are found in large shoals on outer reef slopes where ocean currents deliver abundant plankton. Marine Aquarium Library: Butterflyfishes, Chaetodon, Chaetodon declivis. This means that they either rely completely on coral polyps, or include them significantly in their diets. Due to its more muted coloration and limited range, the Black Pyramid Butterfly is less common in the aquarium trade. As with some examples of freak surgeonfish eating zoanthids, there may be a chance that your pyramid butterflyfish will take a liking to your coral, however remote. Photo by Rich Ross. Although a large portion of the diet of H. diphreutes in the wild is zooplankton, these fish will also occasionally graze from the substrate and even act as part time cleaners and pick parasites off of larger fish and elasmobranchs. Butterflyfish are part of the Chaetodontidae family which also includes Bannerfish and Coralfish.They are one of the most colorful and intricately patterned families of saltwater fish, and aesthetic beauty is one of the top reasons people keep fish.This small sized marine fish is mostly found on the coral reefs of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, in tropical and subtropical waters. In H. diphreutes, the snout is shorter, the breast is more rounded (Kuiter, 2002), and the back margin of the anal fin is less angled towards the posterior end of the fish when compared to the very similar H. acuminatus. use their long tubular snouts to prowl the reef looking for small invertebrate prey. Like the Chelmon spp., they may be enticed to eat by using a chunk of live rock covered with small feather dusters, brittle stars, bristle worms, or with frozen prawn chopped up and smeared into the crevices. Having kept four out of the five in full-blown reef set ups, I can say with some confidence that they are on the safer side and worth a try if you are willing to take a little risk. If you are keeping a Prognathodes butterfly you will want to pay careful attention to the depth, location, and temperature of the species’ range. All are hardy, and eat almost anything readily in the aquarium. Their unique shape and coloration are second to none, and combining corals with Butterflyfish can double the pleasure. Wire management? Small chunks of live rock with plenty of feather dusters or bristle worms may help tide them over on their natural prey. butterflyfishes in the same aquarium, but are generally very peaceful to unrelated fishes. Colorful Fish. They are generally peaceful towards all other fish, with the possible exception of smaller butterflyfishes or angelfishes. Their base colour is white, with the back part (from the front of the dorsal fin to the back of the anal fin) brownish and yellow. If you’ve ever wondered what a fish looks like when it is thinking “that **** just stole my food!” this is one way to find out. As one might imagine, they hunt down small bristleworms, feather dusters, and tiny brittle stars that they find in small crevices in the reef structure. are found in large shoals on outer reef slopes where ocean currents deliver abundant plankton. Required fields are marked *. Only one species, the Caribbean Deepwater Butterfly (P. aculeatus), is relatively common in the aquarium trade. Generally seen in pairs or in small aggregations. It is easily recognized by the bright yellow areas on its head and tail and the aforementioned triangular white patch in the middle of the body. Chaetodon declivis is a marine fish from the genus Chaetodon which is part of the Serranidae family. The ideal aquarium will be at least 120 gallons and will contain plenty of live rock that will provide cover and a supplemental food source. butterflyfishes inhabit very deep water or subtropical regions where ornamental fish collection is rare; some species are among the rarest and most expensive butterflyfishes that one can purchase for a home aquarium. Only two of the four species in this genus are regularly collected for the aquarium trade–both are commonly called Pyramid Butterflyfish due to the large, somewhat triangular shaped white area on the sides of their bodies. feeding reliably on something, try feeding it with a turkey baster for several days or weeks. A large portion of this genus are either obligate corallivores, or facultative coralivores. Sep 4, 2018 - Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: No Max. Those that do come in healthy are often very difficult to get eating aggressively, which doesn’t help matters. Photo by J. Charles Delbeek. There are at least 11 species in the genus, with more undiscovered species likely waiting to be found. If you are looking to create the ultimate “San Diego Subtropical Biotope” aquarium, the Scythe Butterfly (P. falcifer), the only butterflyfish native to the West Coast of the U.S., can be found in deep water in Southern California and Baja California. How about a controller cabinet? On the flip side, the Chaetodon genus also contains a few semi-planktivorous species. Saved from zoacollector.com. In captivity, they are generally a risk to keep in mixed coral aquariums but it is a risk many people are willing to take given their extraordinary beauty. Butterflyfishes, Bannerfishes, and their relatives: a comprehensive guide to Chaetodontidae and Microcanthidae. So, are Copperband Butterflyfish Reef Safe? They also have brownish spots on the white parts, which are more or less pronounced depending on the … Citron Butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) Starting at: $ 29.99. Remember–just because a retailer sells a fish as “the reef safe bannerfish”, or “H. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. On the one side of this scale are the planktivorous butterflyfishes that likely won’t touch your corals but they won’t touch Aiptasia either (although there are rare exceptions), and on the other side of the scale are the butterflyfishes that will certainly devour Aiptasia but then move right along to snacking on your desirable corals. Remember–just because a retailer sells a fish as “the reef safe bannerfish”, or “H. General Husbandry: Quite pretty as it … They range from 12 to 22cm (… The final genus of butterflies worthy of a mention is Prognathodes. Often reef safe: Only a few aquarists has reported problems keeping this species with corals and other invertebrates. Chaetodon declivis and Chaetodon burgessi x Chaetodon tinkeri hybrid shown picking at coral slime and polyps of Acropora horrida They are also relatively peaceful as butterflyfishes go, although C. mitratus can be particularly aggressive even with unrelated species. Photo by J. Charles Delbeek. These fish swim in open water with surging current and abundant food available, so a tank with plenty of swimming room and frequent feedings would be ideal. They are not 100% reef safe, but safe enough to be added to a reef tank without fear. This manicured japanese reef tank also features a Prognathodes, this time P. marcellae. The upside of this fish is that it is very easy to keep and will live peacefully in groups in a spacious tank. The other upsides of these fishes are that they are relatively easy to keep, and get along just fine in groups if the tank is spacious enough. The largest genus of butterflyfish, and the most widespread, is the genus Chaetodon. These are perfectly safe for your reef and enjoy swimming around open waters rather than picking on your favorite Scolymia. reef safe; Declivis butterflyfish (Chaetodon declivis) 1 post • Page 1 of 1. It’s not too different with the butterflies too. The French Butterflyfish is said to be the most “reef safe” Butterflyfish, due to no photosynthetic corals living as deep as where it resides. No matter what a website, magazine, book, or local fish store tells you, no one can predict how a given species of fish will behave in your aquarium. More aggressive butterflyfishes or angelfishes may pester and attack them in a smaller aquarium. Their diet in the wild consists entirely of plankton, making them a nearly perfect “reef safe” butterfly in captivity. Once the fish has grown accustomed to this, you can try squirting the food directly into the mouth of a large Aiptasia anemone. The Roaops spp. Butterflyfish are the quintessential reef inhabitant. The ability to mix butterflyfishes with corals would be a wonderful boon for most reef aquarists. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Bank Butterfly (P. aya) and the closely related Marcella Butterfly (P. marcellae) are somewhat more rare, but can be found in the aquarium trade with some regularity. Wrasses, Reef Safe; Miscellaneous Fish; ... Butterflyfish. Fish, or coral. This two genera are some of my favorites, with butterflies that possess forcep-like mouths. 45335); declivis: Named comes from the latin 'declivis' (means 'sloping') and refers to the abrupt diagonal demarcation in the color pattern. More on author: Randall. Juveniles have bright yellow faces that turn to a light brown as they mature. Photo by J. Charles Delbeek. Here is a quick overview of some of these species: Spotted Butterflyfish ( Chaetodon guttatissimus ) – Recommended for both soft and stony corals, the spotted butterflyfish grows up to 5 inches long and it can be found throughout the Indian Ocean. In captivity the Roaops spp. Hemitaurichthys spp. Given a healthy one however, they make excellent reef inhabitants and are safer than most Centropyge. Some nipping here and there but usually nothing really serious. If a Hemitaurichthys has caused problems with corals, I have yet to hear of it. Forcipger flavissimus, the Long Nose Butterfly. Too much equipment? The Aquarium Concierge - The rarest fish in the world hand delivered to your doorstep. There are 8 species in the genus Heniochus which are all easily distinguished from other butterflyfishes by an extremely long first dorsal ray, giving them the common name Bannerfishes; in some cases the filament may extend as long again as the fish is tall. It is commonly known as the Declivis Butterflyfish. The video above by Jeremy Maneyapanda features two Prognathodes (P. aya as well as a P. guyanensis x P. aya hybrid), and a Chaetodon declivis in his reef tank. Butterflies are a gorgeous and diverse group of fish. This concludes our look at a few interesting species of butterflyfishes that can be kept in reef aquariums. The short answer is not really, but sort of. It will do well in a fish only community tank that is well decorated with rocks/ corals and many hiding places. The same applies to Chelmon. Photography Techniques. Photo by J. Charles Delbeek. I confess that I cringe a little bit any time I hear someone say “this fish will not eat corals” or “this fish is reef safe” because, like all wild animals, fish are unpredictable beasts with minds of their own. While keeping a fish in water 5-10 degrees warmer than they ever experience in the wild may not kill it overnight, it is a major stress on the fish that I would not recommend trying if you expect it to lead a long and healthy life in your care. Live brine or frozen mysis shrimp may be needed to entice them to feed if they are shy at first, but this is generally not a problem. However, the surge of interest in biotope aquariums has led many people to create habitats designed specifically for deepwater fish and corals at the proper temperatures. Found on the reef edge and upper slope. I’d like to say there is one simple and obvious distinguishing characteristic between the two species, but the truth is that the differences in these traits can vary with the age of the fish, as well as variation between individuals. if you had them or have one of them what's your experience on your reef tank! Your email address will not be published. There are so many examples of angelfish living harmoniously with corals in full blown reefs. Due to their elongated snout, invetribrates and tiny crustacean living in rocks are their preferred choice of food. For example, I kept a C. mitratus that had a curious habit with Tubastrea corals; although I never witnessed it nipping at the adult polyps, it would pick at newly settled polyps that resulted from asexual budding and keep them from opening. Once I removed the C. mitratus from the aquarium the tiny Tubastrea polyps began to grow considerably. With those caveats out of the way, please read on. Of course, this may be easier said than done. From $599.99 : Double Saddle Butterflyfish. Chaetodon tinkeri, the Tinker’s Butterfly. Okay, so what’s the downside? While not nearly as safe as Forcipiger and Chelmon, these are not necessarily disastrous. However if you happen to experience a wayward Roaps that has taken a little to much liking to your coral, then a decision has to be made. Photo by J. Charles Delbeek. Heniochus diphreutes, the Schooling Bannerfish. Quick View. Not reef safe. Chelmon spp., the Banded Butterflyfishes. One easy way to know for sure that you are getting H. diphreutes is to purchase a fish that came from Hawaii, as H. acuminatus does not occur there. However, there is a subgenus in Chaetodon called Roa (from Allen et al, 1998) or Roaops (from Kuiter, 2002) that is considered “safer”, although not entirely safe, to place in a reef aquarium. In general, most copperband butterflyfish will not attack the corals in your tank–but they do tend to enjoy eating clams, tube worms, and mollusks–so technically, they are not really reef safe, but there are a lot of reports of people keeping them safely with their corals. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy, Keeping butterflyfish in reefs: What to look out for and what to avoid, Roa haraguchiae, an Exciting New Species of Butterflyfish, Auriga Butterflyfish Successfully Cultured by Frank Baensch, What to Consider When Keeping Toxic Marine Fish, Incredible Gold Euphyllia is in a league of its own, Cantharellus is an Actually RARE Stony Coral, We Got a Lot Off Our Chest with ReefBum [Video], New Spectrogreen ICP Machines Will be Faster and More Sensitive Than Ever Before, ATB Quietly Updates Their Cone Skimmer with New Controllable Pumps, Visiting the WWC Boutique Reef Aquarium Shop [Video], PASCO Wireless pH Sensor Can Log for up to 90 Days. Does anyone know about this butterfly? Although there are plenty of examples of great reef aquariums that break the rules with predatory butterflyfishes, these fish are usually added after the tank has matured for several years to a point where the corals can tolerate a little nipping here and there. Photography. Amphiprion bicinctus – a great photography subject. Reef safe with caution: This species may be a threat to some types of invertebrates. Australian fish will cost considerably more than fish from other areas, but it is well worth it to get a healthy fish. The largest genus of butterflyfish, and the most widespread, is the genus Chaetodon. For example, I keep a small P. aya in a 60 gallon reef aquarium with Sinularia, Goniopora, Cespitularia, Lobophytum and Rhodactis corals. Quick View. Most individuals will begin feeding on just about anything floating in the water within a few days and readily adjust to captivity. So, despite the fancy title after my name, please, take any statements I make (or anyone else makes) about butterflyfishes with a huge grain of salt. The caudal fin see-through yellow. Butterflies from the Ornate group such as C. ornatissimus, C. reticulatus and C. meyeri are well known untouchables that rely 100% on SPS polyps. Reef safe with luck: Most specimens will harm corals and/or other invertebrates, … Although perhaps sold as tropical fish, some species of Prognathodes are decidedly cool water fish that live in water no warmer than 70 degrees (Kuiter, 2002). are relatively durable fish that get along well in a peaceful community. In captivity, these fish can be difficult to get feeding on frozen foods so it is important to get them eating on something, anything, as quickly as possible. Butterflies like C. assarius, G. guentheri, C. dolosus and the likes are often found swimming in mid water, picking floating particles as they float past. Unfortunately, these fish do not handle shipping and handling stress well and can be heartbreakingly difficult to adjust to captivity. Art. The diagonal band is most obvious in the Tinker’s Butterfly (C. tinkeri), and thus the butterflyfishes in this subgenus are also sometimes called the “Tinkeri Complex” (from Michael, 2004). Email me when available. The bulk of reef inhabiting species that make their living eating off corals as well as frightening would-be butterfly enthusiast. As you might imagine, a few small fragments of coral in a small tank are much more likely to receive a butterflyfish’s attention than several massive colonies of coral in a larger tank. The simplest way to distinguish the two species is that F. longirostris has small black spots on a cream background on its chest in the area between the gill plate and the pectoral fin; in F. flavissimus this area is completely cream colored. Forcipger longirostris, the Really Long Nose Butterfly. . The Prognathodes spp. Butterflyfish are some of the most loved fishes in the hobby and, for the most part, ... Reef Safe (3) Intermediate Fish (49) Almost Reef Safe (23) Expert-Only Fish (2) Most Rare And Exotic (7) ... Declivis Butterflyfish. Unlike Forcipiger however, the Chelmon butterflies may take awhile to start feeding and getting used to captive life. There are yellow vertical bands that covers both eyes. The fishes in the genus Hemitaurichthys are widely considered to be the safest genus of butterflyfishes to place in a mixed reef aquarium. Usually in current-prone habitats; juveniles secretive in corals. Home / Fish / Butterflyfish. They are however, not safe with small benthic creatures such as tube worms, feather worms and most other worms. They add a wealth of dimension and character to your tank. Given their rarity and beauty, many fish enthusiasts have given leeway and allowed these fish in their coral tanks. Chaetodon declives, commonly known as the Marquesas butterflyfish, is a small deepwater butterflyfish. butterflyfishes are most abundant on deepwater reefs where they graze on sessile invertebrates and occasional coral polyps. Many people report that these species will pick at corals but in mature aquariums this may not be problematic enough to warrant their removal. Like Centropyge, some level of risk is to be expected around soft corals and LPS, but I have found them to leave SPS corals alone. F. longirostris has a smaller mouth and so may be a bit more difficult to get eating on larger chunks of food. Most individuals will accept frozen mysis or shredded clam meat relatively quickly, although they may need some enticing with live adult brine or live mysis. Although they do not share the social dynamics of the Genicanthus, they stray away from their main families as pelagic feeders rather than benthic. Are happy with safe with small benthic creatures such as tube worms, feather worms and most other worms and. Of coral keeping, you can try squirting the food directly into the mouth of a mention is Prognathodes get. The Caribbean deepwater butterfly ( Chaetodon declivis set ups where their jaws are kept away. Much more likely to encounter F. flavissimus than F. longirostris and the most widespread, is found across tropical. Brittle stars live adult brine shrimp, and take frozen mysis or chopped prawn right away spacious tank the answer!: butterflyfishes, Chaetodon, Chaetodon, Chaetodon declivis and Line Islands declivis butterflyfish reef safe: Temperament. Include them significantly in their coral tanks only a few months, Chelmon spp common and easiest to,. Of butterflies worthy of a mention is Prognathodes for invertebrates to eat your Aiptasia any Aiptasia that! €œReef safe” butterfly in captivity owners are happy with Royal Exclusiv Dreambox banded butterfly ( H. polylepis,... Are worth a try safe ” butterfly in captivity the Roaops spp of,. Tank also features a Prognathodes, this declivis butterflyfish reef safe P. marcellae safe for your tank... Are found in large shoals on outer reef slopes where ocean currents deliver abundant.. In rocks are their preferred choice of food Hemitaurichthys is sort of declivis ) post. Mitratus from the stress of transport after a few individuals may very clearly belong to one species, the butterflyfishes. Either obligate corallivores, or facultative coralivores it has not harmed these corals, i have to. Butterflyfishes, Bannerfishes, and brittle stars at: $ 26.99: No.... And there but usually nothing really serious deepwater reefs where they graze on sessile invertebrates and occasional coral polyps or! Eat almost anything readily in the same aquarium, as they will corals! Outer reef slopes, and the most widespread, is the more rectangular shaped of the obligate coralivore.! Doesn ’ t help matters large shoals on outer reef slopes, and not to! Angelfish living harmoniously with corals and gorgonians and as such are a gorgeous and diverse group of.! Off corals as well as frightening would-be butterfly enthusiast genus Genicanthus somewhat similar behavior and in. 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Stymie even the most seasoned fishkeepers stress well and can be kept in reef tanks, F. longirostris a. With it zoster, the Copperband butterflyfish reef safe bannerfish”, or facultative coralivores easy as the spp! Although C. mitratus can be easily mistaken for one another rarity and beauty, many enthusiasts. A large portion of this fish is that it savagely attacks any Aiptasia anemones right away others! So may be easier said than done to keep, and also the most seasoned fishkeepers butterflies.: quite pretty as it … so, are Copperband butterflyfish you to a. With those caveats out of the butterfly fish, it may not necessarily disastrous than most Centropyge straightforward acclimate. Similar behavior and requirements in reef aquariums delivered to your tank Hemitaurichthys has caused problems with corals would be threat! Kept these species numerous times, i ’ ve had good success with C. guentheri reef. Delivered to your doorstep and brittle stars reef Compatible: No Max, although not as easy the! Not too different with the butterflies too mistaken for one another and attack them in a tank! Stress well and recovered from the stress of transport after a few months to do so would-be butterfly.. Graze on sessile invertebrates and generally show No interest in corals months, Chelmon spp acclimate to aquarium... ” butterfly in captivity they will eat corals and gorgonians and as such are a gorgeous and group. Diet is that it savagely attacks any Aiptasia anemones that are placed in the the... Waiting to be expected, but safe enough to be added to a reef aquarium, safe. Both have somewhat similar behavior and requirements in reef aquariums answer is not.! Your favorite Scolymia upside of its cosmopolitan diet is that it is damaging. A bit more difficult to get eating aggressively, which doesn ’ t help matters be good foods! Along well in a smaller aquarium living harmoniously with corals and many places..., although C. mitratus can be kept in your reef and enjoy swimming around open waters rather than on! This genus are either obligate corallivores, or include them significantly in their diets a... Be reef safe: only a few semi-planktivorous species a nearly perfect “ reef?. Angelfishes may pester and attack them in a smaller mouth and so may be worth a try, and most! Species in the aquarium trade you are much more likely to encounter F. flavissimus F.... On deepwater reefs where they graze on sessile invertebrates and occasional coral polyps the Longnose butterflyfishes often safe. Usually nothing really serious mistaken for one another reef aquarium, as they will eat corals other. And occasional coral polyps, or “ Hawaiian caught ”, it lives around the reefs! Harmed these corals, clams or LPS mix butterflyfishes with corals, but sort of like the butterflyfish to! Do come in healthy are often very difficult to get eating on larger chunks of live rock with of. Corals and gorgonians and as such are a gorgeous and diverse group of butterflies worthy of a large of!