Citron Butterflyfish

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Tropical Indo-Pacific, distributed from East Africa to the Hawaiian and Tuamotu Islands, north to southern Japan, and south to Australia. Inhabits shallow lagoons and sandy reef flats.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Chaetodontidae. Features a deep, laterally compressed body with a slightly pointed snout specialized for picking benthic prey.

Social Behavior: Peaceful and active species. Typically observed in mated pairs or small groups. Constantly searches reef flats for food, requiring a stress-free environment.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Pale lemon-yellow to cream-colored body. Dotted with numerous small, dark blue to purplish spots arranged in diagonal rows. A black vertical band masks the eye.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a mature marine aquarium of at least 250 liters with plenty of live rock to provide hiding spots and natural grazing surfaces.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. Feeds on algae, coral polyps, and small invertebrates. In captivity, accepts dry pellets, flakes, frozen brine shrimp, mysis, and marine algae.

Water Quality: Maintain standard marine parameters: temperature 22-27 °C, pH 8.1-8.4, and salinity 1.020-1.025 with efficient filtration and moderate water movement.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Highly peaceful. Not reef safe as it may nip at stony corals. Best kept with quiet, non-aggressive species in a fish-only setup.

Aquarium Breeding: Spawning in home aquariums is undocumented. Pelagic spawner. The larvae float in the water column before settling onto the reef.

Risks and Diseases: Moderately delicate. Susceptible to marine ich (Cryptocaryon) and stress. Ensure the aquarium is fully cycled and stable before introduction.