Saddled Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium)
Fish in the family Chaetodontidae. Moderate care. Reef Safe with Caution.
Quick facts
Appearance
The Saddled Butterflyfish is a distinctive marine fish with a white body marked by a prominent black saddle-shaped patch across the dorsal region. It has yellow dorsal and anal fins, a white head with black markings around the eye area, and a characteristic lyre-shaped tail with yellow coloration. The fish exhibits the compressed, disc-like body shape typical of the butterflyfish family.
Diet and feeding
Feed a varied diet including high-quality flaked foods, mysis shrimp, and small crustaceans. Include some vegetable matter (spirulina-based foods) 2-3 times weekly. Feed 2-3 times daily in smaller portions rather than one large feeding.
Difficulty and care for the Saddled Butterflyfish
The Saddled Butterflyfish is moderately challenging for intermediate hobbyists. While it can acclimate to captivity, it requires stable water conditions, a varied diet, and careful observation for parasites and ich, to which butterflyfish are susceptible.
Common health issues
Marine Ich, Fin Rot, Swim Bladder Disorder, Bacterial Infections, Parasitic Infestations
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region from East Africa and the Red Sea through Indonesia to the Marshall Islands and Great Barrier Reef, with populations extending to Micronesia.
Log Saddled 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 Saddled Butterflyfish alongside everything else in your reef.
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