Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Amphichaetodon

Amphichaetodon melbae

Burgess & Caldwell, 1978

San Felix Butterflyfish, Narrow-barred Butterflyfish

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean: San Felix Islands, Chile.

Size: 7 inches (17 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow rocky coastal reefs at depths of approximately 30 feet (10 m) and mainly feeds coral polyps, tubeworms, crustaceans, sponges and tunicates. Adults occur singly or in pairs, while juveniles are solitary.

General Husbandry: This species has a whitish body with five vertical blackish body and headbands, one passing through the eye, and yellowish dorsal, anal and tail fins. Almost an exact duplicate of the species A. howensis, except its body bands are broader.

Not collected for the aquarium trade. Shown here for identification only.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Percoidei

    Family: Chaetodontidae

    Genus: Amphichaetodon

FYI: A very cool water species – see below

Experience Level: Professional

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: No

Invertebrate Safe: No

Temperature Range: 61 - 66°F (16 – 19°C).

Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Amphichaetodon melbae (San Felix Butterflyfish, Narrow-barred Butterflyfish)
Photo © John Randall
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Polyp Lab