Klein's Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii) Care Guide
Chaetodon kleinii is a yellow-brown Indo-Pacific butterflyfish that feeds mainly on soft coral polyps, algae and zooplankton.
Overview
Chaetodon kleinii, Klein's or the sunburst butterflyfish, is a marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae, placed in the subgenus Lepidochaetodon. It is yellowish-brown with light vertical bands and a black bar running across the eye. Colour varies geographically across its wide Indo-Pacific range.
Taxonomy
- Family: Chaetodontidae
- Genus: Chaetodon
- Subgenus: Lepidochaetodon
- Scientific name: Chaetodon kleinii
Habitat
The species ranges across the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and Samoa, north to southern Japan and south to Australia and New Caledonia, and is also found in the Eastern Pacific at the Galapagos Islands. Adults occur in deeper lagoons and channels and on seaward reefs, usually below 10 m, at depths from the surface to about 90 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Adult size: 12-14 cm (FishBase reports up to 15 cm)
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
Diet
Chaetodon kleinii is an omnivore. FishBase reports it feeds mainly on soft coral polyps (notably Sarcophyton trocheliophorum and Litophyton viridis), algae and zooplankton. In captivity it accepts meaty foods such as mysis, and Wikipedia notes it is fond of the pest anemone Aiptasia.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, mid-water species that occurs singly or in pairs. Because it grazes soft coral polyps, it is considered reef-cautious rather than fully reef-safe. Compatible tankmates include tangs, wrasses and other large peaceful fish; aggressive triggers should be avoided.
Breeding
The species is oviparous and forms monogamous pairs during breeding. Captive breeding is regarded as expert-level and is rarely achieved.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2009).