Somali Butterflyfish

(Chaetodon leucopleura)

Chaetodon Butterflyfish should be added to well established aquariums with plenty of room to swim. Plenty of rock work should be provided for grazing and hiding. Chaetodon Butterflyfish may pick at corals and crustaceans. A diet of meaty and algae based foods should be provided multiple times daily. Multiples can be added simultaneously to a large aquarium. Chaetodon Butterflyfish tend to be shy and peaceful but can become territorial if their aquarium is to small.

The Somali Butterflyfish are rarely collected in the aquarium trade. This unique Butterflyfish is quite beautifully colored and patterned. They have a white to gray colored body, a yellow dorsal, anal and tail fin, a black eye band, and a black band on the back portion of its body running through the bottom and dorsal side of the fish. The dorsal side of the black band fades so that only the scales are outlined in black which takes on a net like appearance. They are Somali Butterflyfish can grow to 7".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 75 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareModerateModerate
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightMediumMedium