Overview
- The Blackwedged Butterflyfish is native to the Indian Ocean, from East Africa to Indonesia, on reef edges and upper slopes with strong currents at about 3-50 ft (1-15 m).
- White body with thin dark vertical lines, two black wedge-shaped saddles on the back, a black eye band, and yellow on the rear body, fins and tail.
- Also known as the Falcula Butterflyfish or Sickle Butterflyfish.
- Sometimes sold as a "saddleback" butterflyfish, but the Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium) is a different, larger Indo-Pacific species.
- Grows to about 8 in (20 cm) and needs a large fish-only aquarium with plenty of swimming room.
Feeding
- Feeds mainly on small invertebrates in the wild, including worms, crustaceans, anemones and coral polyps.
- Offer a variety of meaty foods such as mysis and chopped crustaceans, plus frozen preparations.
- Some fish are slow to start on prepared foods, so offer several kinds until you find what it takes.
- Two or three small feedings a day suit it better than one large meal.
Habitat
- Adults live on the reef edge and upper slope, usually where currents are strong. Juveniles hide among corals.
- Usually seen in pairs or in small groups, sometimes of up to 20 fish.
- In the aquarium, give it steady water movement, open swimming space, and live rock to pick over.
- Needs clean, stable water, so add it only to an established tank.
Fish Care
- Optimal water temperature: 74-82°F (23-28°C).
- Preferred pH range: 8.1-8.4, with a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025.
- Not reef safe: it eats sea anemones, stony corals, and mushroom anemones.
- An intermediate fish that needs a fish-only aquarium of at least 125 gallons (473 L).
- Regular water changes and good filtration keep conditions stable.
Compatibility
- Semi-aggressive, and best kept singly or as a pair to avoid territorial squabbles.
- In a large tank it can live with robust butterflyfish that look clearly different from it, but avoid similar-looking species.
- In a tank well above the 125-gallon minimum, it can live with robust fish of similar size, such as tangs and large angelfish.
- Very aggressive tank mates can stop it from feeding, so avoid them.
Aquarium Behavior
- An active swimmer that spends much of the day picking over rockwork.
- May take time to settle in, but usually becomes bolder once it is feeding well.
- Wild fish form monogamous pairs.
- Will eat sea anemones, so it may pick at pest anemones in a fish-only tank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Blackwedged Butterflyfish look like?
It is white with thin dark vertical lines, two black wedge-shaped saddles on the back, a black band through the eye, a black tail base, and yellow on the rear body, fins and tail.
How is the Blackwedged Butterflyfish related to Chaetodon ulietensis?
Chaetodon ulietensis is its mainly Pacific sister species. The two look very similar, but the Blackwedged Butterflyfish lives only in the Indian Ocean.
How big does a Blackwedged Butterflyfish get?
It reaches about 8 in (20 cm).
What size tank does a Blackwedged Butterflyfish need?
At least 125 gallons (473 L).
Is the Blackwedged Butterflyfish reef safe?
No. It eats sea anemones, stony corals and mushroom anemones, so it belongs in a fish-only tank.
What does a Blackwedged Butterflyfish eat?
It feeds mainly on small invertebrates. Offer mysis, chopped crustaceans and frozen preparations.
Can it eat Aiptasia anemones?
It eats sea anemones, so it may eat Aiptasia. Because it also eats stony corals, it only suits a fish-only tank.
Is the Blackwedged Butterflyfish peaceful?
It is semi-aggressive. Keep one, or a pair, and if you add other butterflyfish, choose robust ones that look clearly different from it, in a large fish-only tank.
Where does the Blackwedged Butterflyfish live?
It lives in the Indian Ocean, from East Africa to Indonesia, on reef edges and upper slopes with strong current.
Is the Blackwedged Butterflyfish good for beginners?
It is an intermediate fish. It takes meaty frozen foods, but it needs a large fish-only tank and stable water.