Lemon Butterflyfish

[edit] Overview

The Lemon Butterflyfish is probably the hardiest of the American native butterflyfishes, making its home on the reefs of the Aloha State. It is a good choice as a first butterflyfish.

[edit] Feeding

Omnivore. Feed a varied diet of meaty and algae-based foods at least three times a day. Yellow individuals may fade in color if not given color-enhancing foods at least several times each week.

[edit] Aquarium Compatibility

In nature, the Lemon Butterflyfish spends lots of time swimming in the open water looking for zooplankton. In the aquarium, it spends time in both the water column and just above the aquarium substrate.

[edit] Breeding/Propagation

Egg scatterers that produce pelagic eggs, often in midwater mating rituals. Both eggs and larvae that drift with plankton in the water column and settle back onto a reef at about the time of metamorphosis. These are among the most challenging types of marine fishes to propagate in captivity.

[edit] Notes

This is a peaceful butterflyfish that can be kept in pairs or even in small groups if the tank is large enough. If one individual starts picking on others, remove the bully. It is not inclined to bother other fish tankmates, but may be badgered by the “usual suspects” (large damselfishes, some angelfishes, surgeonfishes, triggerfishes). This species is not suitable for most reef aquariums, as it will feed on a wide variety of ornamental invertebrates—but it is sometimes kept with unpalatable, tree-like soft corals.

Category: Species