Chaetodon capistratus – Foureye Butterflyfish

The Foureye Butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) is a colorful, peaceful fish that inhabits coral reefs and feeds on small invertebrates. Not really suitable for the aquarium.

Chaetodon capistratus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. This fish belongs to the family Chaetodontidae, which is known as the Butterflyfish. The family Chaetodontidae consists of several genera, including Chaetodon, Chelmon, Forcipiger, Heniochus, Parachaetodon, Coradion, Prognathodes, and Hemitaurichthys. The genus Chaetodon contains about 87 species. The common name of this species is Foureye Butterflyfish.

The genus name Chaetodon is derived from the Greek “chaite” (hair) and “odous” (tooth), referring to the brush-like teeth of these fish. The species name Capistratus means “constricted” or “muzzled”. It is not explained in the description but probably refers to the characteristic mask on the head of this species.

Synonym: Chaetodon bricei, Smith, 1868

Chaetodon capistratus - Foureye Butterflyfish
Chaetodon capistratus – Foureye Butterflyfish

Description

General description:
The Foureye Butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body that is ideal for maneuvering through seagrass beds and coral reefs. The fish has a distinctive dark spot surrounded by a white ring on the back of the body, which acts as a false eye. The head has a black stripe that hides the real eye, making it less visible to predators. The fins are mostly translucent with light tints.

Differences between males and females:
There are no clear physical differences between males and females of this species. Behaviorally, they often live in pairs, which indicates a degree of monogamy.

Behavior and temperament:
The Foureye Butterflyfish is generally peaceful and usually lives in pairs. They are not shy and can be easily approached. These fish are active and spend a lot of time searching for food.

Life expectancy:
In the wild, these fish can live for several years, but exact data on their life expectancy in aquariums is limited.

Biotope

The Foureye Butterflyfish is found in shallow coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico, the West Indies, and the northern part of South America. They live among coral reefs and seagrass beds, where they can hide and find food. The bottom is usually sand and coral rubble.

Natural enemies:
Their natural enemies include moray eels and sharks.

Diet

In the wild:
Chaetodon capistratus feeds primarily on zoantharians, polychaete worms, gorgonians and tunicates. It also nibbles on stony coral.

In the aquarium:
In the aquarium, they can be fed larger crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs, microalgae such as spirulina, and other small invertebrates.

Chaetodon capistratus - Foureye Butterflyfish
Chaetodon capistratus – Foureye Butterflyfish

The Aquarium

Warning!
This beautiful butterflyfish is actually not suitable for keeping in an aquarium. They have a hard time getting used to life in captivity. Less than 20% of these fish survive the first 3 months in an aquarium. So don’t buy it.

Aquarium size:
A minimum volume of 500 liters is recommended for keeping a pair of four-eyed butterflyfish. For multiple pairs, a larger aquarium is needed.

Furnishing:
The aquarium should have plenty of live rock to provide hiding places. A sandy bottom is most suitable.

Water parameters:
The ideal water parameters are a salinity between 1.023 and 1.025 S.G., a temperature between 21 and 28°C, and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.

Introduction:
These fish should not be introduced immediately after starting the aquarium. The aquarium must first mature properly so that algae can grow.

Compatibility:
They can live well with other peaceful fish such as Chaetodon collare, Chaetodon chrysurus, Chaetodon auriga, and Chaetodon kleinii.

Breeding Chaetodon capistratus – Foureye Butterflyfish

No specific data is available on breeding the Foureye Butterflyfish in an aquarium.

Particularities

A special feature of the Foureye Butterflyfish is the presence of a false eye on the back of the body, which helps to deceive predators. This fish species is also known for its monogamous behavior, with pairs often forming long-term relationships.

Chaetodon capistratus is sometimes used against Aiptasia, a parasitic anemone. This fish species is known for its tendency to peck at various types of corals and invertebrates, including Aiptasia. However, it is important to note that the Foureye Butterflyfish is not reef-safe and can damage other corals and invertebrates. Therefore, caution should be exercised when introducing this fish to a reef aquarium.

Conclusion

The Foureye Butterflyfish is a beautiful and interesting fish species that requires a lot of experience and care to keep in an aquarium. They are not reef-safe and have a specific diet that must be mimicked in captivity. Keeping these fish can be a rewarding experience for advanced aquarium enthusiasts who are willing to provide the necessary care and attention.

Video

Author

John de Lange

Copyright images

Laszlo Ilyes
Kevin BryantCC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Brian GratwickeCC BY 2.0

Additional information

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