Ornate Butterflyfish

From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer

Chaetodon ornatissimus - Cuvier, 1831
Ornate Butterflyfish

A big, gorgeous fish best observed in the wild. Scott W. Michael

[edit] Overview

Unless you have a vast reef tank filled with stony corals ready to be constantly grazed, this gorgeous fish should never be acquired. As with all the coral-eating butterflyfishes, it has an abysmal record of survival in captive systems, even those of professionals.

Family: Chaetodontidae

Other common name(s):

Native range:

Habitat: Seaward reefs, patch reefs with heavy cover of Acropora spp. corals.

Maximum length: 20 cm (8 in)

Minimum aquarium size: 513 L (136 gal)

Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)

General swimming level: Midwater to bottom.

[edit] Feeding

Obligate corallivore. Virtually impossible to keep in captivity.


[edit] Breeding/Propagation

Adult form monogamous pairs. Juveniles often seen singly in branching corals.

Reference: 101 Best Saltwater Fishes
Image credit: SWM
Text credit: SWM
Facts about Ornate ButterflyfishRDF feed
Common name Ornate Butterflyfish  +
Family Chaetodontidae  +
Genus Chaetodon  +
Image credit SWM  +
Maximum length 8 in  +
Minimum aquarium size 136 gal  +
Native range Indo-Pacific  +, and Hawaii  +
Reference 101 Best Saltwater Fishes  +
Specific name ornatissimus  +
Swimming level Midwater to bottom.  +
Text credit SWM  +
Water max temp 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F)  +
Water min temp 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F)  +
Water type Marine  +
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