Chaetodon trifasciatus
| Common Names: | Melon Butterfly Fish Rainbow Butterfly Fish |
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| Family: | Chaetodontidae |
| Category: | Chaetodontids |
| Distribution: | Indo Pacific; Found from eastern Africa to Hawaii: Pacific population now considered separate subspecies |
| Main Ecosystem: | Reef; Inhabitant of mature reefs with well established large stony coral populations |
| Temperament: | Territorial; Exhibits territorial behaviour with conspecifics (with the exception of mated pairs), and also exhibits territorial behaviour with other Butterfly Fishes of similar appearance such as C. austriacus. Peaceful disposition toward other fishes. If this species is kept in an aquarium, it is advisable that it should be the only Butterfly Fish in the aquarium. |
| Diet: | Carnivore; Obligate corallivore - WILL ONLY EAT LIVE CORAL POLYPS. A specialised feeder that is extremely difficult to wean onto more conventional aquarium foods. Not reef safe - will devour corals enthusiastically! Expect low rates of success when persuading this fish to eat. |
| Care: | If an attempt is made to keep this fish, it should be provided with large quarters, peaceful companions, with scrupulous attention to water cleanliness. Should be regarded as a 'problem' species even by veteran aquarists. A species to be avoided except by the dedicated, committed and very experienced keeper, and even then likely to exhibit a complete reluctance to feed in the aquarium. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 17cm (6.7") Female: 17cm (6.7") |
| Water Region: | Middle; Found close to branching stony corals for feeding and protection |
| Activity: | Diurnal |
| Gender: | None readily discernible. |
| Breeding: | Unknown in the aquarium. Unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future. Wild breeding habits not documented to date. |
| Variants: | Some scientists regard C. lunulatus as a subspecies of C. trifacsiatus, while others maintain that they are two separate species. Variations in the yellow ground colour include specimens whose ground colour is white (excellent examples of both variants are illustrated in Burgess' Mini-Atlas). Lives up to the name of Rainbow Butterfly Fish by which it is known in the UK. |
| Comments: | Included here as a warning to avoid this species if it ever appears for sale, as it is EXTREMELY difficult to wean onto foods other than live coral polyps. A species that for the time being is best left in the ocean until more research succeeds in finding a solution to its extremely fastidious feeding habits. |
| Main Colours: | Yellow, Blue, Orange |
| Markings: | Striped Horizontal |
| Mouth: | Normal |
| Tail: | Flat |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | © FishProfiles.com |
| Submitted By: | Calilasseia |
| Contributors: | Calilasseia |
| History: | View changes to this profile |
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