Chaetodon ephippium

Datasheet

General Description

The Saddle Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium) belongs to the Chaetodontidae family, known for their vibrant patterns and colors. These fish lack the spines found on Angelfish, with some specialized in soft corals while others target LPS corals, anemones, tubeworms, and bristleworms. It is crucial to select the right species based on coral preferences when keeping them in a coral-aquarium setting.

Aquarium Suitability

The Saddle Butterflyfish is not reef-safe and demands a well-established aquarium with ample space for swimming. They require good hiding spots within live rocks and should be kept in pairs introduced simultaneously. Feeding is crucial, usually multiple times a day, especially when newly added to the tank. A varied diet is essential, including live SPS or LPS corals, frozen foods, mussels, zooplankton, and algae.

Demands, Care, and Hardiness

These fish have average hardiness and need a high water quality with proper oxygenation. Being food specialists, acclimatization issues may arise, as they feed mainly on coral polyps. It is vital to be well-prepared with alternative food sources such as living corals, mussels, and zooplankton. They are peaceful but can show aggression towards similar species.

Reef Suitability

The Saddle Butterflyfish is not suitable for a reef setup due to its tendency to nibble at clams, eat tubeworms, and primarily feed on coral polyps. The high demands for specific foods and the potential challenges with acclimatization make them unsuitable for a reef environment.

Aquarium Setup

To house the Saddle Butterflyfish successfully, a tank of at least 500 liters is recommended. The aquarium should be well-maintained with algae for grazing and enough hiding places among live rocks. Water parameters must be monitored, with pH levels between 8.1-8.4, temperature maintained at 22.2-25.6°C, and a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025.

Behaviour

Saddle Butterflyfish are mostly peaceful but might exhibit aggression towards similar species. They ignore most other fish and thrive in pairs introduced simultaneously. These fish enjoy swimming and should be provided with ample space in the tank to accommodate their natural behavior.

Feeding and Diet

Feeding the Saddle Butterflyfish is challenging as they primarily consume coral polyps. It is crucial to offer a varied diet consisting of larger crustaceans, microalgae like spirulina, other invertebrates, small crustaceans, and zooplankton. Ensuring they receive their required nutrients is essential for their health and longevity.

Dimorphism

Dimorphism in the Saddle Butterflyfish species may not be prominent. Captive reproduction is possible with some individuals that can adapt to eating frozen foods, but most individuals require live SPS or LPS corals as part of their diet.

Habitat and Distribution

Saddle Butterflyfish are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from Sri Lanka to the Hawaiian Islands, southern Japan, and Australia. They inhabit areas with live corals, mussels, and zooplankton, requiring specific foods for their diet to survive successfully.