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Butterflyfishes (corallivorous)
Family Chaetodontidae
Common Name(s): Exquisite butterflyfish (Chaetodon austriacus), Eastern triangle butterflyfish (Chaetodon baronessa), Bennett’s butterflyfish (Chaetodon bennetti), Orangeface/Larvatus butterflyfish (Chaetodon larvatus), Pacific redfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus), Meyer’s butterflyfish (Chaetodon meyeri), Eightbanded butterflyfish (Chaetodon octofasciaatus), Ornate/Clown butterflyfish (Chaetodon ornatissimus), Rainford’s butterflyfish (Chaetodon rainfordi), Indian ocean redfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus)
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Reef Fish Guide designation and why
Keep it wild
Although these are only some of the many species of butterflyfish, they represent a group that is quite impossible to keep in captivity and, unfortunately, still available online and at disreputable pet stores. This group of butterflyfish all share a specialized diet of live coral polyps (corallivorous) that is very difficult and expensive to mimic in the home aquarium. They have virtually no chance for survival making them a very unsuitable choice for the home aquarium. Furthermore many species are endemic to their area and should exploitation for the trade continue unabated, their populations are sure to continue declining to dangerously low levels.
Distribution
Found in all tropical oceans: Eastern Indian, Western Pacific, Indo-Pacific, South Pacific, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Hawaii, and other tropical reef areas.
Maximum size
Ranges from 4.7 - 7.0 inches (12 - 18 cm)
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