Threadfin
Butterflyfish
or Chaetodon
auriga belong
to the family Chaetodontidae
which is
comprised of 120 species in 10 different genera. This family is more
commonly
referred to as butterflyfish. This species is native to the
indo-Pacific.
Populations
can be found throughout the Red
Sea, as far north as Japan
down the entire length of East
Africa to as far south
of
Lord
Howe Island situated
southeast of Australia.
Its
natural habitat also extends from
the Red Sea
to the Hawaiian Islands.
These fish occupy depths from surface level to approximately 100 feet.
This is by far one of the
most exotic butterflyfish marketed
by the aquarium trade. It has a white, slightly elongated snout with a
black
vertical bar from its eyes to the bottom of its head. Its predominantly
white
body is striated with a pattern of ascending and descending oblique
grey lines.
This white and grey patterning darkens to a grey or black on yellow on
the upper
part of its posterior. Dorsal, anal and caudal fins are bright yellow.
As it
matures, this species develops a trailing filament on the back of its
dorsal
fin that extends passed it tail fin. This long tread-like extension is
why they
are called threadfins. This species frequently has an eyespot on the
back of
its dorsal fin. This false eye is not generally present on specimens
from the Red Sea. In Hawaii this
fish is called Kapuhili. It is often sold under the names Auriga
Butterflyfish,
and Cross-Stripe Butterflyfish.
This
is one of the best all around choices among
butterflyfish for a community tank. It is hardier than most butterflies
and
comes with an easy care rating. Many butterflyfish are recommended for
only
expert level aquarists. This species can be raised by more novice
hobbyists. Threadfins
grow can grow up to 9 inches in length as adults and require a minimum
tank
size of 75 gallons. This species makes a wonderful addition to
fish-only tanks
but is not suitable for marine reef aquariums.
Most butterfly species are
classified in the semi-aggressive
category. This particular species is of a more docile nature.
They are
quite
shy for butterflyfish and will require plenty of hiding places. They
will
however display aggressive behavior toward conspefics (members of their
own
species) and fish of similar color pattern. Multiples can be kept in
larger
aquariums if introduced simultaneously, preferably as juveniles. A
male-female
couple will often forage for food separately and then perform a
greeting
display upon reuniting. They will spend most
of their time swimming in close proximity of one another. The
threadfin’s easy
care rating and mild mannered temperament has made them one of the most
popular
butterflies in home aquariums.
This
is an omnivorous species. In its natural habitat its diet
includes; sessile
invertebraes, most large polyp stony coral polyps, feather dusters and
fanworms
and algae.
In
an
aquarium it should be provided with plenty of live rock to graze on. In
exchange it will perform the service of ridding your live rock of
aiptasia anemones.
Most aquarists consider this species a pest. They are quite frequently
accidentally introduced to an aquarium with the addition of live rock.
Once
present they are notoriously hard to get rid of. If your aquarium
suffers from
aiptasia infestation you should consider purchasing a threadfin.
These
fish are not picky eaters. They will readily accept common variety food
fare.
They will also consume food preparations not intended for them. This is
fine as
long as their total consumption is a well balanced combination of
plant, animal
and algae matter. Dried algae sheets, chopped broccoli and asparagus
are good
supplements.
As with most
butterflyfish, this species is a sequential hermaphrodite. The
introduction of two
juveniles into an aquarium will result in a male-female pair. This fish seldom breeds in
captivity.
