Chaetodon multicinctus – Pebbled Butterflyfish
Chaetodon multicinctus was first described by Garrett in 1863. This species belongs to the family Chaetodontidae, also known as the Butterflyfish family. The genus Chaetodon is the largest within this family and contains approximately 87 species. The name “Chaetodon” means “brush-tooth”, referring to the brush-like teeth of these fish. Its common name is Pebbled Butterflyfish or Multiband Butterflyfish.
Synonym: Exornator exornator multicinctus
Description
Chaetodon multicinctus has a characteristic appearance with an oval-shaped body. The head and flank are usually yellow with multiple vertical brown stripes, and the fins are usually yellowish. This fish can reach a maximum length of 12 centimeters.
No specific physical or behavioral differences between males and females have been documented, and juveniles and adults show no significant differences in appearance.
Chaetodon multicinctus’s behavior is generally peaceful, although it can sometimes be aggressive towards conspecifics. They usually live solitary or in pairs and are not shy. They swim mainly in the middle waters and are not bottom dwellers.
Biotope
Chaetodon multicinctus is found in the central and western Pacific Ocean, but it is only found around Hawaii and the Johnston Islands. It lives mainly between coral reefs, where it feeds on coral polyps. Its natural habitat consists of areas with a lot of coral and rocks. There is no specific information about its natural predators, but it is not an active hunter itself.
Diet
In the wild, Chaetodon multicinctus feeds primarily on coral polyps. They should be fed live corals in an aquarium, as they will not survive on replacement food. Feeding them non-coral foods, such as shrimp or artificial food, is not advisable. They are not reef-safe, as they eat coral polyps.
The Aquarium
Chaetodon multicinctus is not suitable for a home aquarium. This species of fish is a specialized feeder that feeds mainly on coral polyps, which makes it challenging to keep them in captivity without live corals. They require a large aquarium of at least 800 liters and are challenging to maintain. In addition, they are not reef-safe, as they eat coral polyps. Therefore, they are only recommended for experienced aquarists who are willing to provide their natural diet.
Chaetodon multicinctus can coexist well with other peaceful fish species but not with species that compete for the same food.
Breeding in the Aquarium
There is no specific information available about breeding Chaetodon multicinctus in an aquarium.
Particularities
Chaetodon multicinctus is a specialist feeder that primarily feeds on coral polyps, making them difficult to keep in an aquarium without live corals.
Conclusion
Chaetodon multicinctus is a challenging fish to keep in an aquarium due to its specialized diet of coral polyps. They are not suitable for beginners and require a well-established aquarium with live corals. Their peaceful nature makes them suitable for a community tank, provided there is no competition for food. It is important to note that they are not reef-safe and can cause damage to coral reefs in an aquarium environment.
Author
John de Lange
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