Chaetodon andamanensis

Kuiter & Debelius, 1999

Andaman Butterflyfish

Range: Eastern Indian Ocean: Maldives to the Andaman Sea and northern Sumatra.

Size: 6 inches (15 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow coral rich reefs at depths between 3 to 30 feet (1 – 10 m) and feeds only on stony coral, i.e., Acropora polyps.

General Husbandry: A very attractive species, as it is almost completely bright yellow except for a black band over the head continuing through the eyes, and a black false eye spot on the peduncle.

This species still seems to be listed in various journals as a valid Chaetodon species, nevertheless, according to Vincent Hargreaves, it should be treated as a junior synonym of C. plebeius as there are various 'intermediates' from the Maldives, Phuket and the eastern Indian Ocean that are well documented and prove that it is merely a geographical color variation. And that he, Frank Schneidewind, Jack Randall, and Bill Eschmeyer all agree on this matter.

Because of its diet of only live coral polyps, its best this species not be collected for the aquarium trade.

FYI: Experience Level: Professional

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Corallivore

Coral Safe: No

Invertebrate Safe: No

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 28°C)