Black Back Butterfly

About this fish

Black Back Butterfly is a marine butterflyfish, identified as Chaetodon melannotus. In the aquarium, it’s primarily used as a show fish in a well-established saltwater tank where its feeding needs can be met, and it’s kept with appropriately compatible tankmates rather than placed in a coral-focused setup.

Features:

• Butterflyfish family fish with reef-dweller behavior—active swimming and frequent searching for food in the water column. ([ornamentalfish.org](https://ornamentalfish.org/what-we-do/advice-information/care-sheets/caresheets-marine-fish/how-to-look-after-butterfly-fish/))
• Moderate care level; best suited for aquarists prepared for consistent feeding and good water quality. ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Temperament listed as peaceful, but still requires matching tankmates and careful introduction. ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Not reef-safe / not recommended for reef tanks, as butterflyfish may nip or otherwise harm invertebrates and corals. ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Diet in captivity should be varied and meaty; offer appropriately sized frozen foods multiple times daily (for best results, use retailer guidance). ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Helps anchor a fish-only or fish-focused display where species compatibility and stability are the priority. ([saltcorner.com](https://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=506))

Specifications:

• Scientific name: Chaetodon melannotus ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Care level: Moderate ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Temperament: Peaceful ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Reef safety: Not reef safe / not reef tank suitable ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Adult size: About 5.5 in (approx. 15 cm) ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Diet (general guidance): Omnivore; offer varied meaty foods (e.g., frozen copepods/mysis and similar) multiple times daily ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Water temperature: 72–82°F ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• pH: 8.1–8.3 ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Salinity (specific gravity): 1.02–1.026 ([reeftrak.com](https://reeftrak.com/livestock/fish/blackback-butterflyfish/))
• Calcium (general butterflyfish guidance): 380–450 ppm ([ornamentalfish.org](https://ornamentalfish.org/what-we-do/advice-information/care-sheets/caresheets-marine-fish/how-to-look-after-butterfly-fish/))
• Magnesium (general butterflyfish guidance): 1250–1350 ppm ([ornamentalfish.org](https://ornamentalfish.org/what-we-do/advice-information/care-sheets/caresheets-marine-fish/how-to-look-after-butterfly-fish/))