Butterflyfish White Faced - Medium

The White-face Butterflyfish as the name suggests has a white face. This changes to a darker body with striking black vertical stripes. Yellow accents can be seen in the tails of white-face Butterflyfish.

It’s shaped like a traditional butterflyfish and has an oval body that is squeezed laterally. It features a projecting snout with a little mouth at the tip. The dorsal fin is continuous, while the tail fin is rounded. This species can grow to a length of just over 6 inches (16 cm).

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This species is part of a closely related group of butterflyfishes known as the Rabdophorus subgenus. One day they may constitute a separate genus the Raccoon Butterflyfish Chaetodon lunula and Threadfin Butterflyfish Chaetodon auriga, as well as other popular species like the Saddled Butterflyfish Chaetodon ephippium, Vagabond Butterflyfish Chaetodon vagabundus, and Pakistan Butterflyfish Chaetodon collare, are all close relatives of this fish.

This species has never been bred in captivity. Butterflyfish are pelagic spawners in the wild, releasing a large number of tiny eggs into the planktonic water column, where they float with the currents until they hatch. Once hatched, the fry are in a post-larval stage in which their body is covered with large bony plates that extend from the head.

The White-Faced Butterflyfish, is a quiet, secretive fish in the wild. That makes it tough for divers to find one, and when they do, it's impossible to approach with a camera since it dashes away swiftly. It also has a rather limited range of where it can be found. Only a few butterflyfish may be discovered in the Red Sea, and this is one of them. It can also be found in the Western Indian Ocean, stretching from the Gulf of Aden to the Yemeni island of Socotra.

Tank Recommendations for White Faced Butterflyfish

They will require a large, well-established tank. A 284 lite (75-gallon) tank is recommended for a single butterflyfish, while a larger tank of 378 litres (100 gallons) or more is recommended if keeping it with other butterflies. Decorate the tank with rocks and/or corals, as well as plenty of hiding spots whilst ensuring there is still plenty of swimming room. It's a gamble to keep this butterflyfish in a reef habitat. It might work if the reef tank is huge and well-stocked, and they are fed healthy and nutritious food. However, it is a coral eater in nature and will most likely consume all other sorts of reef life as well. It's recommended to keep it in a community tank with only fish.

If properly cared for, this fish can be quite resilient. There should be plenty of algae to graze on, as well as a wide range of dietary options. However, because sometimes these fish will refuse aquarium feeds, they are recommended for the more experienced, intermediate aquarist. Because corals and other invertebrates are part of its natural diet, it is not recommended for reef aquariums.

Frequent water changes are not required; instead, normal water changes of 10% biweekly or 20% monthly are sufficient. Sudden massive water changes can be problematic.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The White Faced Butterflyfish is a unique feature that would make a great addition to a community aquarium. It is essentially lovely, but it is a source of contention. The restrained character it exhibits in nature translates to a solitary, bashful fish who requires a large amount of room. However, it develops a combative mentality. When it comes to tankmates, especially other butterflyfish, including its own species, it may be a bit of a brawler. Unless you have a confirmed pair, it is advisable to keep only one specimen. It also helps to put this fish in the aquarium last. Then, keep an eye on it to make sure it isn't too aggressive toward the other fish.

Usually Compatible

In the wild, this is a very shy fish, but in the aquarium, they are known to be aggressive with other tankmates. Unless the tank is very large, it should be kept alone. It can be territorial and aggressive to other butterflyfish unless it is a proven pair.

Smaller, non-aggressive fishes such as Cardinalfish, Gobies, Tilefish, Fairy Basslets, Fairy and Flasher Wrasses may be suitable tank mates. Smaller, more aggressive fish such as Clownfish, Damselfish, and Anthias could also work well. Pomacanthus and Holacanthus, which are larger and more territorial Angelfish, can be kept with this species. Other Angelfish species such as Centropyge, Apolemichthys, Genicanthus, Chaetodontoplus, and Pygoplites can also make good tankmates..

Sometime Compatible

The White-face Butterflyfish is not a reef-safe species. Though it thrives in a coral-rich tank, it will nip coral polyps and snack on other invertebrates. It's best kept in a large fish-only community tank that's well-decorated with rocks/corals and plenty of hiding spots. However, Batfish, Boxfish, Crustaceans, Dragonettes and Triggerfish are normally compatible, but should be monitored.

Rarely Compatible

Dottybacks, which are small but very territorial, should be avoided. Even if they are small, fish like Basses, Scorpionfish and Sharks that may eat them should be avoided. Delicate slower moving fish like Pipefish and Seahorses shouldn’t be housed with Butterflyfish.

Feeding your White Faced Butterflyfish

The White-face Butterflyfish is an omnivore that feeds on coral polyps, worms, clams, crabs, algae, and other invertebrates in the wild. Some specimens will refuse to eat in the aquarium, but the majority will eat aquarium food. Provide a tank with lush filamentous plants for the greatest results, and at first, you may persuade them to start browsing by offering live items such as clams with their shells cracked open.

It's critical to feed a wide variety of living, frozen, and prepared formula foods once it's acclimated to aquarium foods, with a focus on veggies and spirulina. Live brine, flakes, and frozen foods of many kinds, including Formula I, Formula II, Angel Formula, and spirulina, are examples of these foods. Nori from Japan will also be popular. There are currently several sponge-based frozen snacks that can be fed to butterflyfish. Feed it at least twice a day, and three to four times a day if it's a young juvenile.