Meyers Butterflyfish

General information

Meyer's Butterflyfish is a small, peaceful, and colorful species that can grow up to 5 inches in length. It has a flat, round body with a black coloration on its back and a yellow-orange coloration on its underside. This species is best kept in a tank of at least 50 gallons with plenty of live rock for hiding and grazing.

In the wild, Meyer's Butterflyfish feeds on a diet of algae, small invertebrates, and coral polyps. In captivity, it can be fed a diet of frozen or live brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, chopped krill, and other meaty foods. It is important to also supplement their diet with vegetable matter, such as spirulina or algae flakes.

There is no visible difference between male and female Meyer's Butterflyfish.

Breeding Meyer's Butterflyfish in captivity is rare. In the wild, this species forms pairs during mating season and spawns in the water column.

Meyer's Butterflyfish are susceptible to common marine diseases, such as marine ich and marine velvet. To prevent disease, it is important to maintain good water quality and avoid introducing sick fish into the tank.

Meyer's Butterflyfish is native to the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, East Africa, and the Hawaiian Islands.

Meyer's Butterflyfish is generally considered reef-safe, but may nip at coral polyps and other invertebrates. It is important to provide plenty of hiding places and live rock for grazing to prevent this behavior.

Meyer's Butterflyfish should be acclimated slowly to the tank environment. It is recommended to float the sealed bag in the tank for 15-20 minutes to allow the temperature to equalize, then add small amounts of tank water to the bag every 5-10 minutes for about an hour before releasing the fish into the tank.