Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus)

Quick Stats:
Care Level: Moderate | Temperament: Peaceful | Color Form: Black, White, Yellow | Diet: Carnivore | Reef Compatible: No | Water Conditions: sg 1.020?1.025, 72?78? F, dKH 8?12, pH 8.1?8.4 | Max. Size: 6?” | Family: Chaetodontidae | Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons | Compatibility: View Chart

Overview
Did you know that this specimen ships from our LiveAquaria? Wisconsin Facility, home of our popular Diver’s Den? WYSIWYG Store and our LiveAquaria? Certified Captive Grown Corals (CCGC)? What that means is that you can rest assured knowing this specimen received the highest level of care from our experienced and professional LiveAquaria? staff!.
PLUS, hobbyists that use our LiveAquaria? Professional Reef Salt have the added benefit knowing marine species shipped from our LiveAquaria? Wisconsin Facility share the same water parameters. In other words, if you use our Professional Reef Salt, marine species shipped from our Wisconsin Facility will acclimate and transition to your home aquarium with less stress to set the foundation for longer term success.

A perfect choice for beginners, The Banded Butterflyfish is an easy going species that gets along well with other reef fish. Striking in its contrasting beauty, it has a deep, thin, somewhat disc-shaped body, with a concave forehead and short snout. The coloration of juveniles and adults can be quite different. Juveniles have large, ringed black spot at the base of the dorsal fin, four vertical body bars, with an overall body color of brownish-yellow instead of the white that adults have as a base.

A peaceful fish, Banded Butterflyfish are most commonly found alone or in pairs, in shallow waters around coral reefs. Most active during the day, and sleeping at night, they seek shelter in the evening, as they are highly vulnerable to larger predators.

The Banded Butterflyfish is a carnivore, feeding on reef inhabitants such as tube worms, anemones, corals, and occasionally crustaceans. It is not recommended in a reef aquarium, as they will eat most invertebrates. The coarseness of its teeth allows it to scrape at invertebrates that make up its diet. Supplement their diet with a variety of meaty preparations and vitamin enriched or color enhancing food. They may also clean parasites from other fish.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1″ to 2″; Medium: 2″ to 3-1/4″; Large: 3-1/4″ to 4-1/2″; X Large: 4-1/2″ to 5-1/2″