Common name: Butterflyfish
General information
The Banded Butterflyfish, scientifically known as Chaetodon striatus, is a striking species popular among marine aquarists. This species is easily recognized by its bold, vertical black stripes on a white or silver background, and a distinctive black eye band. It's a member of the family Chaetodontidae, which is known for its colorful and ornate butterflyfish.
In the wild, C. striatus is often found in pairs or small groups, and it's known for its peaceful demeanor. However, it can be territorial towards other butterflyfish, especially in smaller aquariums.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 200 liter (53 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 15 cm (6″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Sensitive to water quality.
- Diet
- Omnivore Prefers live foods, adapts to frozen.
- Social
- Pair Best kept in pairs or singly.
- Reefsafe
- No May nip at coral polyps.
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Can be territorial.
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerciformesPerciformes
- FamilyButterflyfishChaetodontidae
- GenusButterflyfishChaetodon
- SpeciesButterflyfishChaetodon striatus Linnaeus, 1758
- SynonymsAnisochaetodon trivirgatus Weber & de Beaufort, 1936Chaetodon consuelae Mowbray, 1928Chaetodon striatus albipinnis Ahl, 1923Chaetodon striatus dorsimacula Ahl, 1923
Care
Banded Butterflyfish require a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding. They are not considered reef-safe as they may nip at soft and stony corals, as well as anemones and polyps. A varied diet is crucial for their health, including marine meats, algae, and high-quality commercial foods.
Reproduction
In their natural habitat, Banded Butterflyfish are oviparous, with pairs forming during the breeding season and releasing eggs into the water column. These eggs are pelagic, drifting with the currents until hatching. Breeding them in captivity is challenging and not commonly done by hobbyists.
Habitat
Banded Butterflyfish are typically found in shallow reefs and coastal areas, often in depths ranging from 2 to 20 meters. They are distributed across the Western Atlantic, from Massachusetts, USA, and Bermuda to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
Their natural habitat includes coral reefs where they forage for food, navigate through complex structures, and seek shelter from predators.