Saddleback Butterfly Profile

Scientific Name:

Chaetadon ephippium (Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831).

Other Common Names:

Saddled Butterflyfish, Saddle Butterflyfish, or Saddle-Marked Butterfly.

Identification:

This fish has a large black "saddle" with a white border on the rear upper corner of the body and dorsal fin. Orange coloration is found on the lower half of its face as well as outlining the black tail. The base color is gray with several blue-gray stripes on the lower body.

Distribtution:

Indo-Pacific area.

Maximum Size:

To 9".

Characteristics and Compatibility:

Like most fish in the Butterfly Fish Family, the Saddleback Butterfly spends most of its time during the day picking at coral polyps as it cruises the reef. At night they hide in various cracks and crevices. It should not be kept with any of its species unless it is introduced to the aquarium as a male and female pair.

Minimum Tank Size Suggested:

100 gallons.

Diet & Feeding:

Feed this fish an ample supply of finely chopped meaty seafoods.