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(chaetodon melannotus)
Saltwater
Native to the Indo-Pacific Oceans and the Coral Sea, this is a hard fish to acquire. Its body is white with fine, light black, vertical stripes and a black band, running from the black band across its eyes, to the caudal fin. The face and fins are yellow. Other names for this fish are a Melannotus Butterflyfish and a Black-Banded Butterflyfish.
Size: 2" to 3"; can get up to 6" in captivity.
No. in Tank: ONE! May, in a larger aquarium, be able to have a mate. They must be introduced together.
Tank: min. 60 gallon
Temperament: Peaceful
Food: (Carnivore) Needs a variety of meaty foods such as marine fish, mysid shrimp and crustacean flesh. It also needs vitamin enhanced foods, such as vitamin-enhanced brine shrimp, else the fish's color will lose its sharpness. *If this fish feels threatened or is picked on by its tank-mates, it may refuse to eat. Feed 2 to 3 times a day.
Light: High
Adaptation: This fish needs lots of room to swim and plenty of hiding places when introduced into the tank. At first a bit shy, after fully acclimating, it becomes bolder and very hardy. It will clean glass anemones off a live rock, but also fanworms and other invertebrates usually wanted in the tank. If the fish feels threatened or picked on, it may not acclimate well and may refuse to eat.
Compatibility: Not for a reef system. It will eat soft and hard corals and invertebrates. May fight with other fish that are the same species (Chaetodon), and have the same color patterns. Leave most other fish alone. Best with peaceful tank-mates.
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