Spot Banded Butterfly (Asia Pacific)

Rich, saturated color combined with bold markings set the Spotbanded butterfly apart. It is overall the color of butterscotch with swirling stripes of deep black dissipating into tiny speckles. Its face is marked with saffron orange and its tail with scarlet. Its fins are edged with intense sulphur yellow. It grows up to 5 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 75 gallons.

This species is normally quite peaceful and shy, and should not be kept with aggressive tank mates. It can be kept singly or in pairs, and gets along well with other butterflyfish as long as all specimens are added at the same time to a large aquarium. Butterflyfish do not show differences between males and females. They are related to angelfish, but lack the angel's distinctive cheek spines.

A butterflyfish's favorite food is an anemone, so they should not be kept in the same aquarium with one unless it is guarded by aggressive clownfish. The butterflyfish knows to attack the anemone on its mouth, which does not sting, and will make a quick meal of it. It will also benefit from filamentous algae in the aquarium to graze on.

This species may nip on many types of corals, but usually does not bother mushrooms and large stinging anemones. It may nibble clam mantles, sponges, and feather dusters. They do not typically bother other types of invertebrates such as crustaceans. They feel most secure when there is plenty of live rock to hide in, as well as open space for swimming. This species is easy to feed but has a very small mouth. It should be offered a variety of herbivore and meaty preparations such as marine algae and Spirulina, frozen Mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, marine eggs, and half shell clams; it should be fed 2-3 times a day.