Blackburn's Butterflyfish (Chaetodon blackburnii)
Fish in the family Chaetodontidae. Hard care. Reef Safe with Caution.
Quick facts
Appearance
Blackburn's Butterflyfish is a striking yellow-bodied fish with distinctive black vertical bars and bright orange-red patches on the head and gill covers. It features a black eyebar characteristic of the genus and attains a maximum length of approximately 7 inches, with the typical laterally compressed body shape common to butterflyfish.
Diet and feeding
In captivity, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis shrimp, copepods, finely chopped seafood, and quality flake food. Feed 2–3 times daily. This species grazes on small crustaceans and polyps in the wild and can be difficult to transition to prepared foods.
Difficulty and care for the Blackburn's Butterflyfish
Moderate - Requires some experience due to specific dietary water or tank requirements. Best suited for intermediate aquarists.
Common health issues
Starvation (difficulty acclimating to captive foods), parasitic infections, bacterial infections, loss of appetite
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and the Great Barrier Reef, typically found in reef environments at depths of 5–70 meters.
Log Blackburn's Butterflyfish in your reef tank
Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Blackburn's Butterflyfish alongside everything else in your reef.
Related Fish
