Logo
Please visit our Sponsors

Related FAQs: Chaetodon Butterflyfishes, FAQs 2, Chaetodon Identification, Chaetodon Behavior, Chaetodon Compatibility, Chaetodon Selection, Chaetodon Systems, Chaetodon Feeding, Chaetodon Disease, Chaetodon Reproduction, Butterflyfish Identification, Butterflyfish Foods/Feeding/NutritionButterflyfish Compatibility, Butterflyfish Behavior, Butterflyfish Systems, Butterflyfish Selection, Butterflyfish Disease, for now.

Related Articles: Best/Worst Butterflyfishes

Butterflyfishes of the Genus Chaetodon

Part 4 of 4 Poor Choices

To: Good, Medium, & Unknown Chaetodon Choices pages: Split up to save download time... for now.
To: Poor Chaetodon Choices part 1, part II, part III, & Unknown

 

By Bob Fenner

 

Butterflyfishes for Marine
Aquariums

Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here

by Robert (Bob) Fenner
Chaetodon rainfordi McCulloch 1923, Rainford's Butterflyfish. Only from Australia's Queensland coast up to New Guinea. A delicate beauty that is far too often offered in the industry. To six inches overall in length. Australian (Queensland) images of  one, two and four inch specimens.
Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Chaetodon reticulatus Cuvier 1831, the Reticulated Butterflyfish. Nice looking, and "friendly" underwater toward divers, but dismal survival records in captivity for this coral polyp eater. Found commonly in central and western Pacific. To six inches total length. One in the Cooks, another in N. Sulawesi.

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Chaetodon semeion Bleeker 1855, the Dotted Butterflyfish. A touchy species that is occasionally imported into the West... found in the Indo-west Pacific from Sri Lanka to the Tuamotus of French Polynesia. This adult in northern Indonesia.

Chaetodon speculum Cuvier 1831, the Mirror or Oval-Spot Butterflyfish. A shy species that lives in coral rich areas where it feeds on same and other benthic invertebrates. To some seven inches in length. Eastern Indian Ocean to western Pacific. Ones off of Bunaken, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Chaetodon striatus  Linnaeus 1758, the Banded Butterflyfish. found in the tropical west Atlantic south to Brazils coast. To six inches long. Yet another generalized B/F species from the area that has a dismal captive survival record. Bahamas pic.

Verticals (Full/Cover Page Sizes Available
Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Chaetodon triangulum Cuvier 1831, the Triangular or Rummynose Butterflyfish. Closely related to the western Pacific Chaetodon baronessa in markings, feeding (coral polyps) and longevity in captivity (not). Found from east Africa to the Andaman Sea.

No pic...

Chaetodon trifascialis Quoy & Gaimard 1824, Chevron Butterflyfish. This fish is way too often offered in the trade, belying it's wide distribution, mid-Pacific to the east coast of Africa and the Red Sea. Almost exclusively lives on eating Acroporid polyps. To seven inches in length. One in the Red Sea, another two during the day and night in Fiji.

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Chaetodon trifasciatus  Park 1797, the Melon or Indian Ocean Redfin Butterflyfish. Like the same named Redfin Butterflyfish from the Pacific this is primarily a coral polyp feeder. Note the I.O. species much bluer dorsal coloration To about six inches long in the wild. Two Indian Ocean Butterflyfish, the first one in the Seychelles, the other the Maldives

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Chaetodon vagabundus Linnaeus 1758, the Vagabond, Crisscross Butterflyfish. In the wild feeds on anemones, coral polyps, worms and algae. Compared with the similar Indian (Ocean) B/F (see above), Chaetodon decussatus, this species does poorly in captivity. In the Andaman Sea, and one in Fiji in the South Pacific

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Chaetodon zanzibariensis Playfair 1866, the Zanzibar Butterflyfish. East Africa to the Chagos Archipelago. Coral feeder. To five inches overall length.

No pic, sorry... will tag along on your next trip to the Indian Ocean! See Rob Moore's pix below

picture submission   12/7/14
Hello Bob & WetWeb crew,
<Tn8...>
While looking for info on a few butterflies, I noticed there was no picture for the "Chaetodon zanzibariensis" listing.
<I thank you for sharing>
I'd like to submit a picture of mine for your use on the site if you like.
From nose to tail, it's approximately 2" & a wonderful, very busy little guy. Knock on wood, he's got a big appetite.
<Ah good>
I'd be happy to forward any info or observations regarding it. Hopefully the pictures I'm including are the proper size. If not I can resend.
Happy holidays to you & your crew!
<And to you and yours. Please send along your name to apply as credit for these pix. Bob Fenner>
Re: picture submission   12/8/14

Hello again Bob & thanks!
My name is Rob Moore from New Jersey
<Ahh; thank you again Rob. Cheers, BobF>

To: Good, Medium, & Unknown Chaetodon Choices pages: Split up to save download time... for now.
To: Poor Chaetodon Choices part 1, part II, part III, & Unknown


Butterflyfishes for Marine
Aquariums

Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here

by Robert (Bob) Fenner
Become a Sponsor Features:
Daily FAQs FW Daily FAQs SW Pix of the Day FW Pix of the Day New On WWM
Helpful Links Hobbyist Forum Calendars Admin Index Cover Images
Featured Sponsors: