Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Chaetodon

Chaetodon melapterus

Guichenot, 1863

Arabian Butterflyfish

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indian Ocean: Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and along the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow coral rich lagoons, reef flats, and fore-reef slopes at depths between 3 to 100 feet (1 – 30 m) and feeds only on stony corals.

General Husbandry: A very attractive species, as its body is almost completely bright yellow except for its trailing edge which is jet black, as are its dorsal, anal and tail fins. There’s also three vertical black bands on the face, with the middle one through the eyes.

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

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Percoidei

    Family: Chaetodontidae

    Genus: Chaetodon

FYI: Experience Level: Professional

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Corallivore

Coral Safe: No

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

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

 Chaetodon melapterus (Arabian Butterflyfish)
Photo © John Randall
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