Common name: Butterbun
General information
The Spotfin Butterflyfish, Chaetodon ocellatus, is a vibrant and attractive species that is popular among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts. Known for its distinctive black spot on the rear of the body and the spot at the base of the tail, which resembles an eye, this fish is not only beautiful but also fascinating due to its behavior and adaptability.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 300 liter (79 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 23 to 27 °C (73 to 81 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 20 cm (8″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy May nip at soft corals
- Diet
- Omnivore Prefers varied diet, incl. algae
- Social
- Pair Pairs are often monogamous
- Reefsafe
- No May nip at corals and inverts
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Can be territorial
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerciformesPerciformes
- FamilyButterflyfishChaetodontidae
- GenusButterflyfishChaetodon
- SpeciesButterbunChaetodon ocellatus Bloch, 1787
- SynonymsChaetodon bimaculatus Bloch, 1790Sarothrodus amplecticollis Poey, 1868Sarothrodus ataeniatus Poey, 1868Sarothrodus maculocinctus Gill, 1861
Care
Spotfin Butterflyfish are moderately difficult to care for, primarily because they have specific dietary requirements. They thrive in well-established aquariums with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding. These fish are not reef-safe as they tend to nip at corals and sessile invertebrates. A varied diet that includes both meaty foods and vegetable matter is essential for their health.
Reproduction
In the wild, Spotfin Butterflyfish form monogamous pairs during the breeding season. They are pelagic spawners, releasing their eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. The larvae are planktonic, drifting in the ocean currents until they develop into juveniles and settle onto the reef.
Habitat
Spotfin Butterflyfish are found in the Western Atlantic, from Massachusetts, USA, and Bermuda to the Gulf of Mexico and south to Brazil. They inhabit coral reefs and rocky substrates, often seen at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 55 meters. They are a common sight in their natural range, gracefully swimming in pairs or small groups.