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(chaetodon capistratus)
Saltwater
This Western Atlantic fish, also known as a Foureyed Butterflyfish, is a difficult guy to keep in an aquarium. This delicate fish has a hard time adjusting to aquarium feeds. Its body is a soft white with bright yellow outlining its outer edges. There are iridescent stripes covering the body, starting in the center, forming an inverted "V," or a chevron. There is a false eye (eye-spot), inside a white ring, on the base of the caudal fin. This is designed to misdirect a predator. The pelvic fins are also a bright yellow. A fish only an experienced aquarist should attempt to keep.
Size: 2" to 3"
No. in Tank: singularly or in a mated pair (same sex may fight)
Tank: min. 50 gallon
Temperament: Peaceful
Food: (Carnivore) In the wild ate zoanthrians, polychaete worms, gorgonians and algae. This fish has an very difficult time adjusting to "captive" foods. Try to induce it to eat by offering vitamin-enhanced brine shrimp, clams, and mashed squid and shrimp placed inside a stony coral skeleton. Once eating well, offer mysid shrimp and frozen preparations; returning to enticement foods if needed. Feed at least 3 times a day.
Light: High
Adaptation: If keeping a mated pair, they should be introduced at the same time. Needs places to hide and room to swim. Having live rock may help the acclimation process. A difficult fish to keep in the aquarium, they have low survival rates.
Compatibility: Need peaceful tank-mates that do not compete for food. This is most important. Can be kept with a mate of the opposite sex but may fight with same fish and those of similar species.
**FOR EXPERIENCED/EXPERT AQUARISTS
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