Spotfin Butterflyfish

(Chaetodon ocellatus)

Chaetodon Butterflyfish should be added to well established aquariums with plenty of room to swim. Plenty of rock work should be provided for grazing and hiding. Chaetodon Butterflyfish may pick at corals and crustaceans. A diet of meaty and algae based foods should be provided multiple times daily. Multiples can be added simutaneously to a large aquarium. Chaetodon Butterflyfish tend to be shy and peaceful but can become territorial if their aquarium is to small.

The Spotfin Butterflyfish is also known as the Butterbun or Common Butterflyfish. Very popular in the aquarium trade and quite brightly colored. Spotfin Butterflyfish have an overall silver colored body, black eye stripe and yellow pelvic, dorsal, anal and tail fins. The black spot on the dorsal and anal fins of juveniles will begin to fade as the fish matures. Spotfin Butterflyfish can grow to 8".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 100 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareDifficultDifficult
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightMediumMedium