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Amongst a mix of suitable species of Butterflyfishes hailing from the area, the Blue Mask or Semilarvatus (Chaetodon semilarvatus) Butterfly ranks supreme. It is superlatively suited for captive use amongst its family members in the Red Sea; accepting worm, crustacean, small mollusc and zooplankton type foods, bearing up well under conditions of capture, holding, shipping and processing, and in more modern times, coming down in price to suit a broader range of pocketbooks. About the only trait/characteristic working against its selection, is its "up to plate size" potential growth. There is the usual "mix" of appropriate and not species of Chaetodontids (the family of Butterflies, meaning "bristle teeth"... in reference to their prising jaws, modified for picking out small animals in nooks and crannies) in the Red Sea... Some like our star species here are "good" choices for aquarium use, being generalized omnivores... taking all kinds of foods readily. As you will find below, there are some "medium choices" that tend to not adapt as well to captive conditions, more than half perishing historically within a month of capture. And lastly there are the resounding "poor choices", those that do dismally in most cases, more than half dying within a week in captivity. This last group of largely obligate corallivores (i.e. only feeding on live coral polyps) should be avoided, or only tried by folks who know ahead what they are up against and are able, willing to meet the needs of these touchy species. Classification Notes: The Butterflyfish family Chaetodontidae are a very important part of the marine aquarium world. Several species are 'stock' items (the Longnoses, Raccoon, Threadfin, Heniochus, among others) due to their overall beauty, adaptability, availability, and hardiness against disease. There are, however, many varieties of chaetodonts that are near impossible to keep in captivity. Some are known to only eat live coral polyps, others just don't take captive handling and/or life in a small artificial environment. Of the 'good' B/Fs (industry shorthand for the family of butterflies) there are more than a handful that can be gotten from the Red Sea. The following is my tally of the best, medium and worst varieties; my opinions from handling thousands of specimens, traveling and writing in the interest of aquaristics for going on thirty years. Our "Shining Star", The Golden BF:
Amongst The Best Butterflyfishes From the Red Sea:
Medium Choices: This category is not altogether doomed in captivity, but in my opinion is far and away less suitable for the home aquarist; most specimens live less than a month, very few more than three.
Butterflies From the Red Sea You Want To Avoid: these species do poorly, the vast majority rarely living more than a month. For those who enjoy a challenge I say; study up before you buy. These are by and large impossible aquarium species, most specimens refuse all food in captivity. They are all, regrettably, commonly imported and offered for sale.
Golden BF Selection The Semilarvatus is almost always a "ready to go" species in our interest; shipping well consistently, and quickly "coming to" from the long haul (most are transshipped from/through Europe, from the Red Sea... often a haul of 48 hours or more). Size: Butterflyfishes offered from countries bordering the Red Sea are typically of medium to large proportions. Most Goldens imported to the west are within an ideal range of 3-4 inches overall length. I would avoid specimens much smaller or larger than this... as these ship poorly and there is a quickly diminishing tendency for these to survive, adapt to captive conditions. Index of Fitness: Take care to not select "too skinny" specimens... Many dealers don't feed much of anything to their Butterflyfishes... and this shows up most sorely as a thinning about and above the eyes... Look for robust individuals, with an overall convex profile when seen head-on. Environmental: Conditions Habitat Chaetodon semilarvatus is a large fish (ultimately) that requires uncrowded space to hide, move about. A good rule of thumb is about fifty gallons per individual... for themselves. If you look at photographs of this species in the wild, you'll notice it is often found under overhangs or within large cave-like openings, under table Acropora colonies... Your system should afford this same sort of environment, protection. Chemical/Physical A very pertinent note regarding Red Sea livestock and specific gravity. Seawater here is saltier, up to some 10% (about 4.2% percent of total) more than the rest of the worlds oceans. Your system should be too. Many folks keep their Spg artificially low (1.018-1.023) to increase carrying capacity, lower the incidence of disease, save money on salt mix... don't do it with these fishes! A good "low" for Red Sea stock is 1.025-1.027. Behavior: Territoriality If you have a large enough (hundreds of gallons) uncrowded setting you can have a pair to multiple specimens, otherwise Goldens are best kept as individuals unless the system is as stated. Generally this fish is not aggressive towards members of their own, or similar appearing species. Introduction/Acclimation All Butterflyfishes are best placed in aged (months) systems, initially with subdued lighting. They should also be placed ahead of more aggressive species. Even then, keep an eye out that newcomers are not being bullied. Predator/Prey Relations Most everything leaves these Butterflyfishes alone though they are eaten by larger predatory fishes in the wild and may be in aquariums. As for "reef-safeness", like most Butterflyfish species that are largely worm and zooplanktivorous, the Blue-Mask will leave most all alone, save for Featherduster crowns, the occasional small crustacean. Should you worry about your corals? Not much. Chaetodon semilarvatus are omnivorous, can/will eat SPS polyps at times, but generally prefer other foodstuffs. Feeding/Foods/Nutrition: Types, Frequency, Amount, Wastes The Butterfly species listed as "good" are ready eaters of all forms of prepared and frozen aquatic foods. New specimens may have to be trained onto non-living items by first feeding live (e.g. brine shrimp, worms et al. mixed in with other prepared foods to wean them onto these). The Golden readily feeds on most all, but a good amount of healthy live rock AND a good-sized refugium with macroalgae, a DSB... Disease: Infectious, Parasitic, Nutritional, Genetic, Social This species is quite susceptible to the twin scourges of the reef, Cryptocaryon and Amyloodinium. Routine dipping (freshwater with or without, copper, formaldehyde) and quarantine are encouraged over copper treatments. Butterflyfishes are sometimes sensitive to chemical therapeutics, therefore the emphasis on dips/baths and quarantine. Close: The Golden Butterflyfish is one of a few Chaetodontids hailing from the Red Sea that ranks high for (large) aquarium use. Generally undemanding, all the Blue-Mask/Chin BF needs is space, an established system, and conditions that favor reef organisms. Some of the best fishes come from the Red Sea, even if their geographic distribution extends to elsewhere; what's more, many of the fishes there are found only there, including some real beauties. Happily for us, other countries and collecting companies are cashing in and shipping more Red Sea livestock and for much better prices than ever before.
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