Pearlscale Butterflyfish

About this fish

Pearlscale Butterflyfish is a saltwater reef-associated butterflyfish offered as a special order fish. Its scientific name is Chaetodon xanthurus. In the aquarium, it’s typically used as an active, eye-catching display fish that benefits from established live rock and a varied diet to support long-term feeding.

Features:

• Butterflyfish behavior: generally active swimmers that do best with open space and stable hiding spots in live rock
• Reef-keeping caution: butterflyfish may show interest in sessile invertebrates, so reef compatibility should be considered before adding
• Feeding readiness often improves with a varied offering of foods (e.g., prepared marine foods plus frozen options)
• Tends to do better when introduced to a mature aquarium where established algae and natural grazing opportunities may be present
• Best suited for aquarists prepared for ongoing diet management, as butterflyfish can be selective after transfer
• Social temperament is variable; provide enough swimming space to reduce stress in community setups

Specifications:

• Scientific name: Chaetodon xanthurus
• Care level: Moderate to advanced
• Temperament: Active; can be challenging in some community/reef setups
• Diet: Omnivorous; typically benefits from a mix of algae/algae-based foods and meaty/frozen marine foods, plus suitable prepared marine diets
• Temperature: ~72–78°F (22–26°C)
• pH: ~8.1–8.4
• Salinity: ~1.020–1.026 specific gravity