Threadfin butterflyfish
Chaetodon auriga
FishSaltwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Reef safe
- No
- Recommended tank
- 400 L
- Maximum size
- 23 cm
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8–8.4
- Diet
- Omnivore
Care at a glance
The threadfin butterflyfish is white with a fine crosshatch pattern, a black eye stripe and a long filament trailing from the dorsal fin; adults also carry a black eye spot at the rear. It is one of the hardiest butterflyfish and usually takes prepared food readily.
It is, however, anything but reef safe: it eats coral polyps, feather dusters and anemones, aiptasia included. So keep it in a tank without corals, with plenty of swimming space and a varied diet of meaty and algae-based foods.
Good to know
Related species
Keep Threadfin butterflyfish in the BlubHub app
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.