Golden Butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus)
Fish in the family Chaetodontidae. Moderate care. Reef Safe with Caution.
Quick facts
Appearance
The Golden Butterflyfish displays striking bright yellow coloration throughout the body with distinctive black facial markings resembling a mask across the eyes and snout. The dorsal and anal fins are edged with black, and the fish has a slightly compressed, oval body shape typical of the Chaetodontidae family.
Diet and feeding
In captivity, offer a varied diet of high-quality marine flakes, small crustaceans, mysis shrimp, and finely chopped marine meats. Supplemental feeding of small live or frozen copepods and amphipods helps replicate natural grazing behavior.
Difficulty and care for the Golden Butterflyfish
Moderate difficulty. While hardy once acclimated, Golden Butterflyfish require careful feeding regimens and stable water conditions. They can be prone to ich and benefit from quarantine before introduction to established systems.
Common health issues
Ich (white spot disease), bacterial infections, head and lateral line erosion (HLLE), loss of appetite during acclimation
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region, primarily found in the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean extending to the Arabian Peninsula and coastal areas of the Persian Gulf.
Log Golden 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 Golden Butterflyfish alongside everything else in your reef.
Related Fish
