Rainford's Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rainfordi)
Fish in the family Chaetodontidae. Hard care. Reef Safe with Caution.
Quick facts
Appearance
Rainford's Butterflyfish is a small, laterally compressed fish with a bright yellow body and distinctive white-edged black vertical bands. The head features a characteristic yellow coloration with a black eye-stripe, and the dorsal and anal fins display intricate patterning that complements its striking body bars.
Diet and feeding
Feed a varied diet of high-quality flake food, small crustaceans (such as copepods and amphipods), and frozen foods including mysis shrimp and finely chopped marine flesh. Offer food 2-3 times daily in small portions.
Difficulty and care for the Rainford's Butterflyfish
Rainford's Butterflyfish is a challenging species for most hobbyists due to its particular dietary requirements and sensitivity to tank conditions. It requires stable water chemistry and excellent filtration, and acclimation to captive feeding can be difficult.
Common health issues
Ich (white spot disease), marine velvet, bacterial infections, feeding difficulties in captivity
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region, specifically from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia northward to the Indo-Malaysian Archipelago and the Philippines.
Log Rainford'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 Rainford's Butterflyfish alongside everything else in your reef.
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