All fish / Chaetodontidae

Reef Butterflyfish

Chaetodon sedentarius

Also known as reef butterfly fish, sedentary butterflyfish, caribbean butterflyfish, yellow-banded butterflyfish, リーフバタフライフィッシュ, 礁蝴蝶鱼

This is a pale, deep-bodied butterflyfish with a yellow wash on the upper back and fins. A dark bar runs through the eye and a broad dark band crosses the rear of the body and tail base. Keepers like it because it is one of the hardier Atlantic butterflyfish and usually takes prepared foods well.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

13 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair

Diet

Omnivore: mysis, chopped seafood, brine shrimp, marine algae and quality flake or pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Atlantic: North Carolina and Bermuda south through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to Brazil

Breeding

It spawns in pairs, releasing floating eggs into open water, and the larvae pass through a long planktonic stage. Captive breeding in home aquariums is essentially unknown.

Good to know

It is not reef safe and will nip at sea anemones, tubeworms and many corals. It can be aggressive towards other butterflyfish, so add it to a well-established tank with plenty of swimming space and hiding places.