Centropyge vroliki
This is one of the largest fish in this genus:
the half-black angelfish acclimatizes well
and flourishes in captivity, accepting both
live and dead prey. It is particularly
aggressive towards other dwarf angelfish
when it is deprived of sufficient space.
Size: 13 cm
Lemonpeel angelfish
Centropyge flavissimus
The eye of the lemonpeel angelfish is framed by a blue circle;
the juvenile has an ocellus (eyelike spot) in the middle of each side.
It accepts small items of food, but keeping it in captivity has its
complications. This species is fragile and is rarely imported.
Size: 11 cm.
The eye of the lemonpeel angelfish is framed by a blue circle;
the juvenile has an ocellus (eyelike spot) in the middle of each side.
It accepts small items of food, but keeping it in captivity has its
complications. This species is fragile and is rarely imported.
Size: 11 cm.
Potter's angelfish
Centropyge potteri
The Potter's angelfish is placid and accepts a wide range of
food. Nevertheless, it is sometimes considered delicate for an
aquarium. Size: 10 cm
The Potter's angelfish is placid and accepts a wide range of
food. Nevertheless, it is sometimes considered delicate for an
aquarium. Size: 10 cm
Yellow angelfish
Centropyge heraldi
The yellow angelfish resembles the lemonpeel
angel, although it does not have the blue marks on
the eye, operculum, and fins. This delicate species is
rarely imported. Size: 10 cm.
The yellow angelfish resembles the lemonpeel
angel, although it does not have the blue marks on
the eye, operculum, and fins. This delicate species is
rarely imported. Size: 10 cm.
Flame angelfish
Centropyge loriculus
One of the most beautiful dwarf angels, the flame angelfish
appreciates hiding places in an aquarium. It feeds on algae and
brine shrimps, but may also accept commercial food. Size: 7 cm.
One of the most beautiful dwarf angels, the flame angelfish
appreciates hiding places in an aquarium. It feeds on algae and
brine shrimps, but may also accept commercial food. Size: 7 cm.
Flame back angelfish
Centropyge acanthops
This is a small species, relatively
easy to keep, but rarely found
in the aquarium trade. The
flame back
angelfish likes
hideaways and
feeds on algae
and small
invertebrates. In
some specimens,
the eye is
surrounded by
a blue circle.
Size: 7 cm.
This is a small species, relatively
easy to keep, but rarely found
in the aquarium trade. The
flame back
angelfish likes
hideaways and
feeds on algae
and small
invertebrates. In
some specimens,
the eye is
surrounded by
a blue circle.
Size: 7 cm.
Eibl's angelfish
Centropyge eibli
Eibl's angelfish, aggressive towards all
the other species in the genus, is easy to
keep in captivity. Its vegetable diet can be
complemented by small invertebrates.
Size: 12 cm.
Eibl's angelfish, aggressive towards all
the other species in the genus, is easy to
keep in captivity. Its vegetable diet can be
complemented by small invertebrates.
Size: 12 cm.
Bicolor angel
Centropyge bicolor
In nature, the peaceful
bicolor angel live in groups,
but this is not possible in
captivity, except in very large
aquariums. It is sometimes
difficult to keep in a tank and
has a reputation for being a
fussy eater. Its basic diet
consists of brine shrimps,
tubifex worms, and chopped
mussels. Size: 10 cm.
In nature, the peaceful
bicolor angel live in groups,
but this is not possible in
captivity, except in very large
aquariums. It is sometimes
difficult to keep in a tank and
has a reputation for being a
fussy eater. Its basic diet
consists of brine shrimps,
tubifex worms, and chopped
mussels. Size: 10 cm.
Rusty angel
Centropyge ferrugatus
The medium-sized rusty angel can be confused
with other species. However, it is recognizable
from the fine blue stripes on the dorsal and
anal fins. The caudal fin is not convex.
Size: 10 cm.
The medium-sized rusty angel can be confused
with other species. However, it is recognizable
from the fine blue stripes on the dorsal and
anal fins. The caudal fin is not convex.
Size: 10 cm.
BALISTIDAE (TRIGGERS)
Triggers live in reef areas where the water is in constant movement, so you must plan a large aquarium
for them (at least 400 liters) with highly agitated and well-oxygenated water. Their jaws and teeth
allow them to graze on coral, crabs, and mollusks. In captivity they accept animal food, such as small mollusks (cockles, mussels), complete with their shells. They are fairly aggressive and must be kept singly, away from small fish and invertebrates. One of the distinguishing features of this family of marine fish is its ability to stick out the first spoke of its dorsal fin, and then block it with the second one (explaining their alternative name of crossbowmen).
for them (at least 400 liters) with highly agitated and well-oxygenated water. Their jaws and teeth
allow them to graze on coral, crabs, and mollusks. In captivity they accept animal food, such as small mollusks (cockles, mussels), complete with their shells. They are fairly aggressive and must be kept singly, away from small fish and invertebrates. One of the distinguishing features of this family of marine fish is its ability to stick out the first spoke of its dorsal fin, and then block it with the second one (explaining their alternative name of crossbowmen).
Dwarf Lionfish
The dwarf lionfish does not grow longer than 15 cm, in contrast
to the Pterois. It is also distinguished by the absence of a
membrane between the spokes of the pectoral fins.
Size: 15 cm.
to the Pterois. It is also distinguished by the absence of a
membrane between the spokes of the pectoral fins.
Size: 15 cm.
Volitan Lionfish
Pterois volitans: The volitan lionfish is the one most often
found in the aquarium trade. It gets
accustomed to dead foodstuffs. The
membrane linking the spokes of the
pectoral fins runs to the rear end of their
body, which is not the case with the other
species of the Pterois genus, where the
rear is unencumbered.
Size: 35 cm
SCORPAENIDAE (LIONFISH)
Lionfish are not only stunning to look at, but they can also
constitute a real danger for an aquarist: some of their spiny
spokes emit a venom similar to that of certain snakes. They are placid
and majestic fish, easy to keep in an aquarium of at least 300 liters.
The tank must be furnished with elaborate and convoluted decor,
complete with grottoes and overhangs: lionfish swim through them
flat or at an angle. Their large mouth is equal to their voracity: they devour live prey, often small fish (take care with their roommates!). Nevertheless, these remain amongst the most deirable subjects for the amateur aquarist and repay without any doubt any amount of trouble.
constitute a real danger for an aquarist: some of their spiny
spokes emit a venom similar to that of certain snakes. They are placid
and majestic fish, easy to keep in an aquarium of at least 300 liters.
The tank must be furnished with elaborate and convoluted decor,
complete with grottoes and overhangs: lionfish swim through them
flat or at an angle. Their large mouth is equal to their voracity: they devour live prey, often small fish (take care with their roommates!). Nevertheless, these remain amongst the most deirable subjects for the amateur aquarist and repay without any doubt any amount of trouble.
Dwarf angelfish or Centropyges
These also belong to the Pomachantid family and share its characteristic spine. They are mainly native to
the Indo-Pacific region, where they frequent the coral reefs taking shelter in caves or under overhangs.
Territorial; they can be aggressive with members of their own species, or with Centropyges with a similar
coloring. They are sociable with other fish and respect invertebrates. They are rarely longer than 12 cm
and require an aquarium of at least 200 liters, equipped with places to hide. Their natural diet mainly
consists of algae; in captivity, a vegetable diet of spinach and lettuce can be topped off with small, live
prey, especially crustaceans.
the Indo-Pacific region, where they frequent the coral reefs taking shelter in caves or under overhangs.
Territorial; they can be aggressive with members of their own species, or with Centropyges with a similar
coloring. They are sociable with other fish and respect invertebrates. They are rarely longer than 12 cm
and require an aquarium of at least 200 liters, equipped with places to hide. Their natural diet mainly
consists of algae; in captivity, a vegetable diet of spinach and lettuce can be topped off with small, live
prey, especially crustaceans.
Longnose butterfly
Forcipiger flavissimus
This is an easy species to acclimatize if it has
not suffered too much during its importation.
Not inclined to be aggressive (except against
members of its own species), the longnose
butterfly likes to have some hiding places. Its
diet comprises mussels, tubifex worms, or fish
flesh. Size: 15 cm.
This is an easy species to acclimatize if it has
not suffered too much during its importation.
Not inclined to be aggressive (except against
members of its own species), the longnose
butterfly likes to have some hiding places. Its
diet comprises mussels, tubifex worms, or fish
flesh. Size: 15 cm.
Banded butterfly fish
Chaetodon striatus
The banded butterfly fish, like the C. capistratus and the C
ocellatus, is native to the tropical Atlantic, while the other
butterflies come from the Indo-Pacific region. It does not pose any
problems once it has become used to small food items
(crustaceans and anemones of the Aiptasia genus). Size: 15 cm.
The banded butterfly fish, like the C. capistratus and the C
ocellatus, is native to the tropical Atlantic, while the other
butterflies come from the Indo-Pacific region. It does not pose any
problems once it has become used to small food items
(crustaceans and anemones of the Aiptasia genus). Size: 15 cm.
BUTTERFLY FISH COLORING
The coloring of adults is often slightly different from that
of juveniles (size less than 5 cm), the black patch on the
rear of the dorsal fin sometimes disappearing in adults.
It seems to act as a false eye (the real one being surrounded
- and hidden - by a band or black patch) to
deceive an enemy and surprise it by fleeing "in reverse."
However, this theory has yet to be proven. Once the fish
are fully grown, the juvenile bands can fade or disappear
completely, although some, in contrast, can get bigger.
of juveniles (size less than 5 cm), the black patch on the
rear of the dorsal fin sometimes disappearing in adults.
It seems to act as a false eye (the real one being surrounded
- and hidden - by a band or black patch) to
deceive an enemy and surprise it by fleeing "in reverse."
However, this theory has yet to be proven. Once the fish
are fully grown, the juvenile bands can fade or disappear
completely, although some, in contrast, can get bigger.
Masked butterfly fish
Chaetodon semilarvatus
The highly active masked butterfly fish searches out
small prey near the substrate or in the algae, but it also
swims in open water. Its
maintenance can pose
problems, as it is
sometimes considered
to be delicate.
Size: 20 cm.
The highly active masked butterfly fish searches out
small prey near the substrate or in the algae, but it also
swims in open water. Its
maintenance can pose
problems, as it is
sometimes considered
to be delicate.
Size: 20 cm.
Copperband butterfly fish
Chelmon rostratus
The elongation of the "beak" of the
copperband butterfly fish (more
pronounced than that of the
Chaetodon genus) has evolved
to enable it to pick out food
from crevices in the coral. This
robust species swims slowly,
except when it is alarmed. It
feeds on small, live prey,
notably crustaceans.
Size: 17 cm.
The elongation of the "beak" of the
copperband butterfly fish (more
pronounced than that of the
Chaetodon genus) has evolved
to enable it to pick out food
from crevices in the coral. This
robust species swims slowly,
except when it is alarmed. It
feeds on small, live prey,
notably crustaceans.
Size: 17 cm.
Dot-dash butterfly fish
Chaetodon punctatofasciatus
Placid, little prone to aggression, but a vigorous
swimmer, the dot-dash butterfly fish can accept
artificial food, after first adjusting to small animal
prey. It is considered difficult to keep. Size: 10 cm.
Placid, little prone to aggression, but a vigorous
swimmer, the dot-dash butterfly fish can accept
artificial food, after first adjusting to small animal
prey. It is considered difficult to keep. Size: 10 cm.
Red Sea butterfly fish
Chaetodon fasciatus
The Red Sea butterfly fish is considered
very difficult to acclimatize, because it
feeds on anemone tentacles and the soft
parts of coral. This species can be confused
with C. lunula. Size: 15-17 cm.
The Red Sea butterfly fish is considered
very difficult to acclimatize, because it
feeds on anemone tentacles and the soft
parts of coral. This species can be confused
with C. lunula. Size: 15-17 cm.
Meyer's butterfly fish
Chaetodon meyeri
Rarely found in the aquarium trade,
Meyer's butterfly fish proves very
difficult to acclimatize as it feeds on coral.
Even if it does accept substitute food, it
is not unusual for it to die in captivity.
Size: 15 cm.
Rarely found in the aquarium trade,
Meyer's butterfly fish proves very
difficult to acclimatize as it feeds on coral.
Even if it does accept substitute food, it
is not unusual for it to die in captivity.
Size: 15 cm.
Raccoon butterfly fish
Chaetodon lunula
Easy to acclimatize, the
raccoon butterfly fish
accepts food of animal origin
backed up with vegetable
material. The black patches on
the young (dorsal area and
rear) get bigger in adults once
they have reached 7 or 8 cm.
Size: 20 cm.
Easy to acclimatize, the
raccoon butterfly fish
accepts food of animal origin
backed up with vegetable
material. The black patches on
the young (dorsal area and
rear) get bigger in adults once
they have reached 7 or 8 cm.
Size: 20 cm.
Black back butterfly fish
Chaetodon melanotus
There are few differences between the juveniles and
adults of the black back butterfly fish. This
somewhat nervous species appreciates brine shrimps,
worms, and small pieces of mussel, as well as small
anemones of the Aiptasia genus that sometimes
"spontaneously"appear in marine aquariums. Size:
15-17 cm.
There are few differences between the juveniles and
adults of the black back butterfly fish. This
somewhat nervous species appreciates brine shrimps,
worms, and small pieces of mussel, as well as small
anemones of the Aiptasia genus that sometimes
"spontaneously"appear in marine aquariums. Size:
15-17 cm.
Pakistani butterfly fish
Chaetodon collare
The Pakistani butterfly fish will tolerate fish of its
own species. Undemanding as regards diet, it accepts
both frozen and live food and also feeds off algae in
the decor. It has a reputation for being easy to keep.
Size: 17 cm.
The Pakistani butterfly fish will tolerate fish of its
own species. Undemanding as regards diet, it accepts
both frozen and live food and also feeds off algae in
the decor. It has a reputation for being easy to keep.
Size: 17 cm.
Lemon butterfly fish
Chaetodon miliaris
In its natural habitat, the
lemon butterfly fish feeds on
the soft parts of corals. In
captivity, it has to grow
accustomed to small, live prey,
then frozen ones (brine
shrimps, tubifex worms).
Four-eye butterfly fish
Chaetodon capistratus
Acclimatizing a four-eye
butterfly fish can be
complicated, as it normally
feeds on the tentacles of
anemones and corals, but it
soon becomes easy to keep. It
is one of the rare species
emanating from the tropical
Atlantic, where it is common.
Size: 10 cm.
Acclimatizing a four-eye
butterfly fish can be
complicated, as it normally
feeds on the tentacles of
anemones and corals, but it
soon becomes easy to keep. It
is one of the rare species
emanating from the tropical
Atlantic, where it is common.
Size: 10 cm.
Auriga
Chaetodon auriga
One of the best-known butterflies, the auriga is
characterized by the adult's filamentous extension of
the dorsal fin. Active and not prone to shyness, it is
easy to acclimatize. Feed it with living or frozen food,
backed up by vegetable material if there are no algae
to graze on in the decor. Size: 14 cm.
One of the best-known butterflies, the auriga is
characterized by the adult's filamentous extension of
the dorsal fin. Active and not prone to shyness, it is
easy to acclimatize. Feed it with living or frozen food,
backed up by vegetable material if there are no algae
to graze on in the decor. Size: 14 cm.
Red-tailed butterfly fish
Chaetodon chrysurus
The red-tailed butterfly fish seems to tolerate other species
from the same genus. It is an active fish that grazes on the algae
in the decor and eats pieces of worms and mussels. Sometimes,
however, it can refuse all food in its first few days in the
aquarium. Size: 16 cm.
The red-tailed butterfly fish seems to tolerate other species
from the same genus. It is an active fish that grazes on the algae
in the decor and eats pieces of worms and mussels. Sometimes,
however, it can refuse all food in its first few days in the
aquarium. Size: 16 cm.
CHAETODONTIDAE (BUTTERFLY FISH)
The butterflies are some of the most beautiful of
all marine fish, on account of their vivid
coloring. They are widespread in the tropical seas,
where they live in coral reefs, either singly or as
couples, generally staying close to the coast. The
juveniles often have a different coloring from
adults, which can cause some confusions between
species. Butterfly fish generally have a specialized
diet, according to the species: some graze on algae,
some eat the tentacles of anemones or coral polyps,
while others prefer different kinds of invertebrates.
This sometimes leads to acclimatization problems,
as they will not accept a normal diet. They must
therefore be trained to eat other food: adult brine
shrimps, worms, pieces of mussel, small shrimps. If
they refuse this type of food they will soon die. The
Chaetodons are considered the most demanding of
fish as regards living conditions. This means the
water must be of excellent quality - thoroughly
stirred, filtered, and oxygenated - and regular
changes, in small quantities, are beneficial. The
temperature must be a minimum of 26°C, and the
specific gravity 1.022-1.023-
Generally speaking, it is only possible to keep one
Chaetodon per tank: they are territorial and do not
really get along with each another, although they
do accept fish from other species. Nevertheless,
invertebrates are out of the question as cohabitants.
The decor should consist of blocks of coral,
through which they can weave about in comfort,
thanks to their body form, but they must be given
sufficient free space for swimming and feeding.
all marine fish, on account of their vivid
coloring. They are widespread in the tropical seas,
where they live in coral reefs, either singly or as
couples, generally staying close to the coast. The
juveniles often have a different coloring from
adults, which can cause some confusions between
species. Butterfly fish generally have a specialized
diet, according to the species: some graze on algae,
some eat the tentacles of anemones or coral polyps,
while others prefer different kinds of invertebrates.
This sometimes leads to acclimatization problems,
as they will not accept a normal diet. They must
therefore be trained to eat other food: adult brine
shrimps, worms, pieces of mussel, small shrimps. If
they refuse this type of food they will soon die. The
Chaetodons are considered the most demanding of
fish as regards living conditions. This means the
water must be of excellent quality - thoroughly
stirred, filtered, and oxygenated - and regular
changes, in small quantities, are beneficial. The
temperature must be a minimum of 26°C, and the
specific gravity 1.022-1.023-
Generally speaking, it is only possible to keep one
Chaetodon per tank: they are territorial and do not
really get along with each another, although they
do accept fish from other species. Nevertheless,
invertebrates are out of the question as cohabitants.
The decor should consist of blocks of coral,
through which they can weave about in comfort,
thanks to their body form, but they must be given
sufficient free space for swimming and feeding.
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