Chaetodon baronessa

Common Names:

Baroness Butterfly Fish
Eastern Triangular Butterfly Fish

Synonyms:

Family:

Chaetodontidae

Category:

Chaetodontids

Distribution:

Pacific - Western; Found around the Cocos-Keeling Islands, Indonesia, Fiji and Tonga. Also found on Australian reefs as far south as New South Wales.

Main Ecosystem:

Reef; Inhabits mature reefs with large populations of Acropora stony corals.

Temperament:

Peaceful; Territorial toward conspecifics with the exception of mated male/female pairs, and likely to be territorial toward Butterfly Fishes of similar appearance. Likely to be peaceful toward a wide range of fish species from other fish Families.

Diet:

Carnivore; In the wild, this fish is an obligate corallivore, feeding exclusively upon the polyps of Acropora stony corals. It is considered HIGHLY UNLIKELY that this fish will be migrated to other, more practical aquarium fare at present, and so it is emphasised at this point that this is a SPECIES TO BE AVOIDED by all except the most advanced aquarists. If attempts are made to keep this species, its coral polyp feeding habits make it TOTALLY UNSUITABLE FOR A REEF AQUARIUM.

Care:

If attempted, provide a spacious fish-only or FOWLR setup of at least 75 gallons, preferably larger, and choose peaceful but active fish companions. The fish is VERY DEMANDING with respect to water cleanliness, and is likely to prove frustrating both with respect to its delicacy and its reluctance to feed upon practical aquarium foods.

pH:

Temperature:

25°C - 27°C

77°F - 81°F

Specific Gravity:

1.022 - 1.025

Potential Size:

Male: 15cm (5.9")
Female: 15cm (5.9")

Water Region:

Middle; In the wild, swims close to Acropora coral growths, with which it is associated closely.

Activity:

Diurnal; Active throughout daylight hours. An active swimmer.

Gender:

None known.

Breeding:

Captive breeding not known at present, and given the maintenance difficulties presented by this species, not likely to occur until significant research has overcome these difficulties. Reported to be an open water egg scattering spawner in the wild, presumably with pelagic larvae that occupy the plankton, making captive rearing of fry extremely difficult.

Variants:

None known.

Comments:

The fact that this fish is unlikely to feed upon anything other than Acropora coral polyps and is a extreme speceialist in the wild means that THIS SPECIES SHOULD BE AVOIDED. Advanced aquarists who wish to try keeping this fish and to solve the maintenance problems associated with it should be warned from the outset that success is likely to be very elusive. Unfortunately, it happens to be an extremely beautiful species, making the lack of success all the more frustrating.

Main Colours:

Yellow, Blue, Black

Markings:

Striped Vertical

Mouth:

Normal

Tail:

Convex

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Image Credit:

Submitted By:

Calilasseia

Contributors:

Calilasseia

History:

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