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Fish Guide |  |
Family: Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Natural Range: Indian Ocean
Depth: 10 to 49 ft. Size: 7.5 in. Jumps: No Space: 75+ gal.
Reef Safe: No Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Benthic crustaceans, bristle worm tentacles
Natural History: Falcula Butterflyfish are found individually or in groups up to 20 on hard coral reefs. It is usually observed in those areas with rich growths of stony corals. It uses its long snout to nip at polychaete tentacles, crustaceans, and other invertebrates.
Husbandry: Falcula Butterflyfish may refuse to feed after initial introduction to an aquarium. They should be provided a varied diet of frozen foods of krill, brine shrimp, and chopped seafood. Adults will bite at hard corals, sea anemones, and corallimorphs. It is reported that inexpensive anemones may be used to get this species to begin feeding in an aquarium.
AKA: Saddleback Butterflyfish, Sickle Butterflyfish