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Basics

Scientific Name: Chaetodon ephippium

Family: Chaetodontidae

Origin: Indo Pacific; Sri Lanka, Philippines, Fiji, Maldives, Indonesia, Hawaii, New Caledonia

Quick Facts

• Care Level: Moderate
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Lifespan: 5-7 or longer
• Reef Compatible: No
• Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Maximum Size: 9-12"
• Diet: Omnivore
• Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Overview

The Saddleback Butterflyfish gets it's name from the large black marking on it's back that looks like a saddle.The body is grey with a yellow face and orange markings adorn the tail fins.It's lower body has muted blue-toned grey stripes. 

Like other butterflyfish, unless a mated pair, it should be the only butterflyfish in the tank but can live with community fish. It is not recommended for a reef aquarium as it eats coral polyps and various other invertebrates. As an omnivore, it should be fed a mixture of meaty foods and plant matter. Live foods, flake and pellet foods and frozen foods may all be offered. The tank should be rocky and have places for the butterflyfish to hide.