Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Chaetodon

Chaetodon trifascialis

Quoy & Gaimard, 1824

Chevroned Butterflyfish

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: Red Sea to Hawaiian and Society Islands, north to Southern Japan, and south to Lord Howe and Rapa Islands.

Size: 7 inches (17 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons, and protected reef faces, fore-reef slopes and reef flats rich in stony coral growth at depths between 3 – 100 feet (1 - 30 m) and feeds on Acropora, Montipora and Pocillopora coral polyps.

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 72 - 82°F (22 - 28°C) and natural diet consists mainly of live corals. Only those willing to provide live coral polyps should attempt maintaining this species in captivity. This is an extremely difficult species to maintain.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Percoidei

    Family: Chaetodontidae

    Genus: Chaetodon

FYI: Best left in the wild!

Experience Level: Professional

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Corallivore

Coral Safe: No

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Chaetodon trifascialis (Chevroned Butterflyfish)
Photo © Bob Fenner
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