Pearlscale butterflyfish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pearlscale butterflyfish | ||||||||||||||
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| Chaetodon xanthurus Bleeker, 1857 |
The pearlscale butterflyfish, Chaetodon xanthurus, also known as the Philippines chevron butterflyfish or yellow tail butterflyfish is a member of the family Chaetodontidae.
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[edit] Range
Found on or around the reefs of the western Pacific ocean from Indonesia and the Philippines, north to the Ryukyu Islands.[1]
[edit] Description
Pearlscale butterflyfish are a diurnal species and usually found at depths below 15 m (49 ft). In the wild adults can grow to 15 cm with no discernible differences between males and females. Body pearly white; scales have black edges, giving the sides a reticulated pattern instead of the chevrons in similar species.
[edit] Habitat
The pearlscale butterflyfish is found in clear coastal to outer reef slopes and drop-offs. Found around staghorn corals (Acropora).
[edit] Similar species
Closely related to, and often confused with, three other butterflyfish: Chaetodon mertensii found further east in the Pacific ocean, Chaetodon madagaskariensis found in the Indian ocean, and Chaetodon paucifasciatus found in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
[edit] In the aquarium
A 50 gallon aquarium is the minimum sized tank recommended for these fish, with a water temperature of between about 74 and 80° F.
These fish have a peaceful temperament and in the wild are found either alone, in pairs, or in small groups, however they are territorial towards similar looking species and may harass them. They may be compatible with butterflyfish that bear no resemblance to them, but there is no guarantee that their relationship will be successful. When adding more than one they have to added simultaneously, with lots of live rock available for them to hide amongst as this helps to reduce stress. Peaceful tankmates are required for this fish to thrive in an aquarium.
In the wild they feed on soft coral polyps and small invertebrates so therefore, along with other coral eating Chaetodon species are not reef safe. In an aquarium they should be fed a variety of foods that can include: mysid shrimp, brine shrimp, krill, spirulina and some foods containing algae.
[edit] References
- ^ "Chaetodon xanthurus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 12 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
