Chaetodon vagabundus

Datasheet

General Description

The Vagabond Butterflyfish (Chaetodon vagabundus) belongs to the Chaetodontidae family, known for their vibrant patterns and colors. They are often grouped within a complex due to their similarities, but it's essential to differentiate them as their needs can vary significantly. These fish are native to the East Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and Indonesia, and closely related to Chaetodon decussatus.

Aquarium Suitability

With a hardiness rating of "Hardy," Vagabond Butterflyfish are suitable for aquariums with a minimum size of 500 liters. They are peaceful in temperament and can be kept in large numbers or as solitary individuals. However, they require good hiding spots among live rocks and need ample space to swim freely. These fish benefit from a well-established aquarium with algae-rich surfaces for grazing.

Demands

Vagabond Butterflyfish are suitable for aquarium keeping but require attentive care. They feed on a diet that includes larger polyp stone corals (LPS) and soft corals, along with various crustaceans, microalgae, other invertebrates, and zooplankton. The species needs frequent feeding, several times a day, especially when first introduced to the aquarium. It is crucial to provide a varied diet to meet their nutritional requirements adequately.

Care and Hardiness

These fish are hardy but can be challenging to acclimatize and feed initially. It is essential to choose healthy specimens free of parasites or infections. Some Vagabond Butterflyfish are food specialists and may need live SPS or LPS corals as their primary diet. Breeding some species to accept frozen foods is possible, while others may refuse alternative foods.

Reef Suitability

Vagabond Butterflyfish are not reef safe due to their tendency to feed on anemones, including glass anemones like Aiptasia. They may also nibble on clams, such as Tridacna species, and feed on tubeworms. Keeping them in a coral aquarium requires careful consideration of their diet and compatibility with desired coral species.

Aquarium Setup

When setting up an aquarium for Vagabond Butterflyfish, provide plenty of live rocks for hiding spaces and algae growth. Maintain water conditions with pH levels between 8.1-8.4, a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C, and a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025. Ensure a carbonate hardness (KH) of 8-12 for optimal health.

Behaviour

Vagabond Butterflyfish are generally peaceful and do not show aggression towards other fish. They can be kept in pairs but may exhibit territorial behavior if kept with similar species. These fish are active swimmers and need space to explore and swim around freely in the aquarium.

Feeding and Diet

Their diet should include a variety of foods such as crustaceans, microalgae, invertebrates, and zooplankton. Feeding multiple times a day, especially initially, is crucial for their well-being. Supplement their diet with algae-rich foods like Spirulina if natural algae sources are insufficient in the aquarium.

Dimorphism

Vagabond Butterflyfish may exhibit slight differences in color or pattern, but these variations are minor. It is important to note their origin and specific dietary requirements to ensure proper care and feeding in a home aquarium setting. Some species of these fish can adapt to captive breeding and alternative food sources, while others may require their natural diet for sustenance.

Habitat and Distribution

These fish are found in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Line and Tuamoto islands, extending north to southern Japan and south to the Lord Howe and Austral islands. Their natural habitat includes coral reefs, where they feed on soft and large polyp stone corals, crustaceans, algae, and various invertebrates.