Chaetodon melapterus
| Identification | A gorgeous butterfly — a golden-orange body with a black face bar and black rear fins. Also called the Blackfin Butterflyfish. |
|---|---|
| Maximum Length | about 5″ |
| Origin | Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden |
| Minimum Tank Size | 75 Gal. |
| Reef Compatibility | Not reef safe |
Behavior
A hardy and beautiful butterfly once it is feeding, but a coral-grazer by nature. Generally peaceful with fish, it belongs in a fish-only or FOWLR system rather than a reef.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivore leaning carnivore. Wean it onto mysis, enriched brine and marine preparations; it can be a picky starter.
Cautions
Will eat LPS, soft corals and zoanthids — not a reef fish. Can be difficult to start, so buy a specimen you have seen eating.