Reef Butterflyfish

General information

The Reef Butterflyfish is a colorful species that can reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) in length. It has a mostly white body with black stripes and yellow-orange accents. This species is known for being peaceful and can be kept in a reef aquarium with other non-aggressive species. It is important to note that the Reef Butterflyfish is not a beginner species and should only be kept by experienced hobbyists.

In the wild, the Reef Butterflyfish feeds primarily on coral polyps, but in captivity, they will also accept a varied diet of frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and chopped seafood. It is important to feed them small meals multiple times a day to prevent overeating and potential health problems.

There are no noticeable physical differences between males and females of this species.

The breeding and spawning of this species has not been successfully accomplished in captivity.

Reef Butterflyfish are susceptible to common saltwater fish diseases such as ich, marine velvet, and bacterial infections. Maintaining good water quality, avoiding overfeeding, and quarantining new additions to the aquarium can help prevent these diseases.

The Reef Butterflyfish is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, from Florida to Brazil, and the Gulf of Mexico. They are found primarily on coral reefs in shallow waters.

It is important to note that the Reef Butterflyfish can nip at coral and other invertebrates in the aquarium, so it should not be kept with delicate or sessile species. They are also known to be jumpers, so a tightly fitting lid on the aquarium is necessary.

It is important to properly acclimate the Reef Butterflyfish to its new environment to prevent stress and potential health problems. The drip acclimation method is recommended, slowly introducing small amounts of aquarium water to the bag or container holding the fish over the course of an hour or more.