High Fin Butterfly (Australia)

The strikingly unique High Fin, or Tawneygirdled butterfly, has fiery stripes running over its body and fins in a blazing orange and yellow, like glowing embers. One stripe runs through its eye, another V shaped stripe over its front half, one through its rear fins and a small black blotch at the base of its tail. It grows up to 7 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 125 gallons. It is found from Australia to Thailand but is a very rare import.

This species is normally quite peaceful, and should not be kept with aggressive tank mates. It may be kept singly or in pairs, but may be aggressive towards other fish with a similar color pattern or shape. 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. 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 should be offered 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. If it is fussy boodworms 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.