Banded Butterflyfish

Banded Butterflyfish

A perfect choice for beginners, The Banded Butterflyfish is an easy going species that gets along well with other reef fish. Striking in its contrasting beauty, it has a deep, thin, somewhat disc-shaped body, with a concave forehead and short snout. The coloration of juveniles and adults can be quite different. Juveniles have large, ringed black spot at the base of the dorsal fin, four vertical body bars, with an overall body color of brownish-yellow instead of the white that adults have as a base.

A peaceful fish, Banded Butterflyfish are most commonly found alone or in pairs, in shallow waters around coral reefs. Most active during the day, and sleeping at night, they seek shelter in the evening, as they are highly vulnerable to larger predators.

The Banded Butterflyfish is a carnivore, feeding on reef inhabitants such as tube worms, anemones, corals, and occasionally crustaceans. Use care when housing in a reef tank, as they will eat most invertebrates in the aquarium! The coarseness of its teeth allows it to scrape at invertebrates that make up its diet. Supplement their diet with a variety of meaty preparations and vitamin enriched or color enhancing food. They may also clean parasites from other fish.