Teardrop Butterflyfish (Chaetodon unimaculatus)

From The Aquarium Wiki
Revision as of 14:41, 4 October 2013 by Catxx (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to: navigation, search

Teardrop Butterflyfish

Chaetodon unimaculatus4573.jpg
Teardrop Butterflyfish

Chaetodon unimaculatus

284 Litres (75 US G.)

16-20 cm (6.3-7.9")

pH

8.2 - 8.5

23 -25 °C (73.4-77°F)

8-12 °d

1:1 M:F

Omnivore
Live Foods
Other (See article)

5-10 years

Family

Chaetodontidae



Additional names

Teardrop Butterflyfish, One-Spot Butterflyfish

Additional scientific names

Chaetodon sphenospilus


Origin

Indo-Pacific: East Africa (south to Port Alfred, South Africa) to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to the Lord Howe and Rapa islands; throughout Micronesia.

Sexing

Difficult to visually sex.

Tank compatibility

Generally not considered reef safe as this fish will eat invertebrates. In the wild hard and soft corals also form part of its diet, will also graze algae. Best kept in a FOWLR set up with robust yet peaceful similar-sized fish.

Diet

Requires a varied diet with meaty foods like mysis shrimp and algae-based foods also. Will also graze algae from live rock.

Feeding regime

Feed twice a day.

Environment Specifics

Requires a laterally spacious tank and benefits from a good amount of live rock to graze on and provide hiding places. They require immaculate water chemistry and are sensitive to fluctuations.

Behaviour

A generally peaceful fish, provided you are not an invertebrate or coral.

Identification

A typical oval-shaped laterally-compressed Butterflyfish. The dorsal, anal and ventral fins are yellow. The lower flanks are white. There is a black spot on the upper side and a black bar passing though the eye. A black line crosses the caudal peduncle and the adjacent dorsal and anal fins.

Pictures

External links