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Fish Guide |  |
Family: Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Natural Range: Western Pacific Ocean
Depth: 3 to 49 ft. Size: 6 in. Jumps: No Space: 55+ gal.
Reef Safe: No Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Zoanthids, anemones, annelid tentacles, filamentous algae
Natural History: The Rafflesi Butterflyfish frequents reef slopes, fringes, and flats where there is a high growth of hard and soft coral. It is usually found in pairs. Juveniles are solitary.
Husbandry: Rafflesi Butterflyfish prefer numerous hiding places and unaggressive tankmates. They cannot be kept safely in a reef aquarium because of their tendency to feed on hard and soft corals. When alarmed or sleeping, a large black spot will appear on the head end of this fish. This species has been reported to survive in captivity for up to 16 years.
AKA: Latticed Butterflyfish, Raffle's Butterflyfish, Lattice Butterfly