Butterflyfish

Distinctive orange stripes across a milky white background combined with a long snout mark the unmistakable Copperband butterfly. A single dark eyespot on its dorsal fin adds extra appeal. It grows up to 8 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 125 gallons. It is regularly imported from Bali and the Philippines.This species is normally quite peaceful and shy, and should not be kept with aggressive tank mates. It 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. Because of this behavior this species is often employed to rid an aquarium of pest anemones such as Aiptasia.This species does not typically nip on corals, however it may bother LPS, soft corals and zoanthids, 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.

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The delightful Raccoon butterfly resembles a mischievous thief with its dark eye mask. Contrasting this is a wide band in pure white, and another black stripe extending towards its back. Overlaid atop its buttery yellow body are darker stripes arching towards the tip of its dorsal fin, and a single black blotch marks the base of its tail. It grows up to 8 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 125 gallons. It is regularly imported from Bali and the Philippines.This species is normally quite peaceful, and should not be kept with aggressive tank mates. It may chase its own kind but typically fighting does not result. It gets along well with all other butterfly species; all specimens should 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. Because of this behavior this species is often employed to rid an aquarium of pest anemones such as Aiptasia. Many species of butterfly also benefit from filamentous algae in the aquarium to graze on. This species may nip on many types of corals, clam mantles, sponges, and feather dusters. They do not typically 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 easy to feed on a 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.

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An unmistakably elongated snout gives the Longnose butterfly instant appeal. Its face is dark on top and white on its chin, and its entire body is solid lemon yellow. A single black spot is on its anal fin, just under the base of its tail. It grows up to 9 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 125 gallons.The Longnose butterfly is normally quite peaceful, and if added first it may be kept with aggressive tank mates. It is aggressive towards its own kind but usually gets along well with other butterflyfish as long as they are all added at the same time. Butterflyfish do not show differences between males and females. They are related to angelfish, but lack the angel's distinctive cheek spines. This species has the amusing habit of occasionally swimming upside down. 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. Because of this behavior this species is often employed to rid an aquarium of pest anemones such as Aiptasia. Many species of butterfly also benefit from filamentous algae in the aquarium to graze on.This species is usually coral safe; however caution should be exercised if attempting to keep it in a reef. It may nip on corals, clam mantles, sponges, and feather dusters. They do not typically 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 easy to feed, but has a very small mouth. It should be offered a wide variety of meaty and herbivore preparations such as frozen Mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, half shell clams, marine algae and Spirulina; it should be fed 2-3 times a day.

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The stunning Black Heniochus develops an extremely high, trailing dorsal fin spike. Against its shimmery white body are bold black stripes, and its rear fins are painted lemon yellow. It looks somewhat like a Moorish Idol but is much easier to keep. It is very similar in appearance to the Schooling Heniochus but is much more common. It can be distinguished by its longer snout, less rounded breast, and anal fin which extends nearly to the tip of its caudal fin and is colored more white than black. It grows up to 9 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 125 gallons. It is regularly imported from Bali and the Philippines.This species is very hardy and normally quite peaceful, and should not be kept with aggressive tank mates. It can be kept singly or in pairs or groups as long as all individuals are added at the same time to a large aquarium. Heniochus do not show differences between males and females. Heniochus are also known as bannerfish and are related to butterflyfish and angelfish, but lack the angel's distinctive cheek spines.Butterflyfish and bannerfish may eat anemones, so they should not be kept in the same aquarium with one unless it is guarded by aggressive clownfish. The fish knows to attack the anemone on its mouth, which does not sting, and will make a quick meal of it. Many species also benefit from filamentous algae in the aquarium to graze on.This species may nip on many types of corals, clam mantles, sponges, and feather dusters. They do not typically bother other types of invertebrates such as crustaceans. They feel most secure when there is lots of live rock to hide in, as well as plenty of open space for swimming. This species is easy to feed on a 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.

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The charming Klein's butterfly combines bright colors and active personality, and is also one of the easiest to keep of all the butterflyfish. Two dark stripes run across its face, one over its lips and the other over its eyes and down through its pelvic fins, and another fainter stripe behind its pectoral fins. Its snowy white body becomes bright daffodil yellow at its mid body and tail. Each scale is decorated with a diamond shaped watermark. It grows up to 5.5 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 75 gallons. It is regularly imported from Bali.The Klein's butterfly is quite hardy and is a great first butterfly fish. It is normally quite peaceful, and if added first it may be kept with aggressive tank mates. It gets along well with its own kind and with other butterflyfish as long as they are all added at the same time. 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. Because of this behavior this species is often employed to rid an aquarium of pest anemones such as Aiptasia. Many species of butterfly also benefit from filamentous algae in the aquarium to graze on.This species may nip on hard corals and leathers but not usually noxious soft corals such as mushrooms. It may eat clam mantles, sponges, and feather dusters. They do not typically 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 easy to feed on a 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.

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The alluring Indian Ocean Vagabond butterfly has a delightful criss-cross pattern overtop its shimmering white body and an inky black stripe through its eyes. Its tail is bright lemon yellow with a black stripe. It can be differentiated from the similar Philippines Vagabond by the dark crescent shadowing its rear body. It grows up to 8 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 125 gallons.This species is hardy and makes a great beginner's butterflyfish. It is normally quite peaceful, and if added first it may be kept with aggressive tank mates. It can be kept singly or in pairs which should 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. It will also benefit from filamentous algae in the aquarium to graze on. This species may nip on many types of corals, clam mantles, sponges, and feather dusters. They do not typically 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 easy to feed on a 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.

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The striking Vagabond butterfly sports inky black stripes through its eyes, another in front of its tail and finally a black edge to its dorsal fin. Across its shimmering white body are fine lines creating a criss-cross pattern. Its rear body is bright daffodil yellow. It is similar to its Indian Ocean cousin but has yellow between its dorsal stripes. It grows up to 9 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 125 gallons.This species is hardy and makes a great beginner's butterflyfish. It is normally quite peaceful, and if added first it may be kept with aggressive tank mates. It can be kept singly or in pairs which should 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. It will also benefit from filamentous algae in the aquarium to graze on.This species may nip on many types of corals, clam mantles, sponges, and feather dusters. They do not typically 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 easy to feed on a 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.

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