Black Back Butterflyfish
Chaetodon melannotus
Saltwater Fish
Species Group: Butterflyfish
Family: Butterflyfish
Log in or create an account to add this species to your tanks.
Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Black Back Butterflyfish
General information
The Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) is a beautiful and popular species of saltwater fish that can be found in the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands. It typically grows up to 8 inches in length and is known for its striking black back and white belly, with a yellow-orange stripe running across its body. This species can be kept in a local aquarium, but it requires a well-established tank with plenty of hiding places and a varied diet.
Diet & nutrition
In the wild, the Black Back Butterflyfish feeds on a diet of coral polyps, small crustaceans, and invertebrates. In captivity, it is important to provide a varied diet that includes meaty foods such as frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and krill, as well as vegetable matter like algae and spirulina.
Determining sex
There is no reliable way to determine the sex of the Black Back Butterflyfish based on external characteristics.
Breeding & spawning
Breeding Black Back Butterflyfish in captivity is difficult and has not been well documented. In the wild, they form pairs during the breeding season and release their eggs into the water column where they are fertilized.
Diseases
The Black Back Butterflyfish is susceptible to typical saltwater fish diseases such as ich, marine velvet, and fin rot. It is important to quarantine new specimens before adding them to a display tank and to maintain good water quality to prevent disease outbreaks.
Origination
The Black Back Butterflyfish is native to the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands.
Cautions
The Black Back Butterflyfish is generally a peaceful species that can be kept with other non-aggressive species in a well-established tank. However, it may nip at the polyps of certain corals, so caution should be exercised when adding it to a reef tank.
Acclimation process
The acclimation process for the Black Back Butterflyfish is similar to other saltwater fish species. The fish should be acclimated slowly to the new tank environment over a period of at least an hour, using the drip method to adjust the salinity and temperature of the water.
All photos
Tap a photo to open the gallery viewer.