Foureye Butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus)
Fish in the family Chaetodontidae. Moderate care. Reef Safe with Caution.
Quick facts
Appearance
A disc-shaped butterflyfish with pale yellow and white coloration divided by dark vertical bands. The most distinctive feature is a large black-ringed ocellus (false eye) on the rear dorsal fin area, which resembles a second eye and gives the species its common name. The head and front body are primarily white with subtle yellow tones.
Diet and feeding
Offer a varied diet including high-quality flake food, small frozen foods (mysis shrimp, copepods), and occasional vegetable matter. Feed 2–3 times daily in portions they can consume in 1–2 minutes. Some individuals may nip at stony corals and soft corals.
Difficulty and care for the Foureye Butterflyfish
Moderately challenging. Foureye Butterflyfish are hardy compared to some Chaetodon species, but they can be fussy eaters when first acclimated and may nip at coral polyps, requiring careful species selection and feeding discipline.
Common health issues
Ich (marine white spot disease), fin rot, parasitic infections, starvation if underfed or unable to adapt to prepared foods
Origin and habitat
Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and coastal areas from Florida to Brazil. Found in coral reef habitats at depths of 5–80 meters.
Log Foureye 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 Foureye Butterflyfish alongside everything else in your reef.
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