Chevron Butterfly (Asia Pacific)

An incredibly lovely fish with striking black markings over stark white body; lines over its flanks come together to create a V pointing towards its head. Thick onyx marks its eye and tail fin, and it is bordered all around by a captivating peach to yellow color. Young fish have a bright yellow tail and a thick black stripe running over the rear third of their bodies. It is often called the Acropora butterfly as in the wild its natural diet consists of small polyp stony corals. It grows up to 7 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 125 gallons. This species is normally only imported upon request. Please contact our staff and we will be happy to place an order for you.

The Chevron butterflyfish can be quite aggressive towards its own species; If several are to be kept together they must be added at the same time to a large aquarium. Butterflyfish do not show differences between males and females. They are related to angelfish, but lack the angel's distinctive cheek spines.

A butterflyfish's favorite food is an anemone, so they should not be kept in the same aquarium with one unless it is guarded by aggressive clownfish. The butterflyfish knows to attack the anemone on its mouth, which does not sting, and will make a quick meal of it.

This species is known to consume corals, especially Acropora, and possibly also clam mantles, sponges, and feather dusters. They do not usually bother other types of invertebrates such as crustaceans. They feel most secure when there is plenty of live rock to hide in, as well as open space for swimming. This species is difficult to feed and should be offered variety of meaty and herbivore preparations such as frozen Mysis shrimp, half shell clams, marine algae and Spirulina; it should be fed 2-3 times a day. Bloodworms or small live anemones may be used initially to entice it to feed. Soft food may also be pressed into the rock to provide grazing opportunities. Supplements such as Brightwell's Angelixer and Garlic Power may elicit a feeding response.