Declivis Butterflyfish

Declivis Butterflyfish

The Declivis Butterflyfish, also known as the Marquesan Butterflyfish and is found in a limited range of the Central Pacific Ocean in the areas around the Line Islands. Remaining relatively small, the Declivis Butterfly has beautiful orange coloration covering the dorsal half of the body, as well as a small orange mask covering the eyes. The remaining portions of the fish are white with black spots. These are relatively hardy fish that will add striking beauty to the marine aquarium.

The Declivis Butterflyfish is quite shy and should be provided multiple hiding places. The ideal aquarium will be at least 120 gallons and will contain plenty of live rock that will provide cover and a supplemental food source. They are not good candidates for the reef aquarium, as they will pick at any feather dusters, anemones and polyps.

The Declivis Butterfly’s diet primarily consists of coral polyps, crustaceans, and algae in the wild. In an aquarium, frozen and freeze-dried diets containing algae are good substitutes and can be supplemented with dried algae and vitamin enriched brine and mysis shrimp.