Related FAQs: Chaetodon Butterflyfishes, FAQs 2, Chaetodon Identification, Chaetodon Behavior, Chaetodon Compatibility, Chaetodon Selection, Chaetodon Systems, Chaetodon Feeding, Chaetodon Disease, Chaetodon Reproduction, Threadfins (C. auriga), Raccoons (C. lunula & C. fasciatus),  Double Saddleback (C. ulietensis), Butterflyfish Identification, Butterflyfish Foods/Feeding/Nutrition,  Butterflyfish Compatibility, Butterflyfish Behavior, Butterflyfish Systems, Butterflyfish Selection, Butterflyfish Disease, Butterflyfish Reproduction,

Related Articles: Best/Worst Butterflyfishes

Good Butterflyfishes of the Genus Chaetodon, part II

To: Good Chaetodons part I, part III, Medium, Poor & Unknown

Bob Fenner

  Chaetodon

Never been there, wanta go along?

Chaetodon kleinii Bloch 1790, Klein's Butterflyfish. Widespread from Hawai'i over to Africa's east coast. To five inches overall. A hardy, but shy species that often perishes due to too much commotion and competition in captivity. Below: A juvenile and adult in Hawai'i, an adult one Redang, Malaysia.

Chaetodon lunula (Lacepede 1803), the Raccoon Butterflyfish. Though not as attractive as its namesake in the Red Sea (C. fasciatus), the Indo-Pacific Raccoon is just as hardy, and a very good choice for eating pest Aiptasia anemones in reef tanks, though it will consume coral polyps in some cases. Click on name for more information, images. This one in the Cook Islands, South Pacific.

Lost...

Chaetodon melannotus  Bloch & Schneider 1801, the Black-Backed Butterflyfish.  To six inches, mainly 3-4. Widespread distribution from Africa's east coast and Red Sea (pictured here) over to the mid-Pacific. Hardy, though it does eat soft and hard coral polyps. Red Sea images, 2 and 4" specimens. bsp;

Chaetodon mertensii Cuvier 1831, the Chevron or Merten's Butterflyfish. A common, but hardy and good-looking species. You may find the Indian Ocean variety of this species listed/sold as C. madagaskariensis... it's the same species. Tropical central Pacific to east African coast. To five inches long. Pictured: one in the GBR, off of Heron Island and one in the Cooks,  South Pacific by RMF and an aquarium pic.

Chaetodon mesoleucos Forsskal 1775, the White-Face Butterflyfish. Only found in the Red Sea and adjoining Gulf of Aden. To six inches total length. Can be aggressive toward other B/Fs. Aquarium image.