Chaetodon nippon

Steindachner & Doderlein, 1883

Japanese Butterflyfish

Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Philippines north to Southern Japan and South Korea.

Size: 6 inches (15 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow rocky reefs at depths between 3 to 60 feet (1 – 20 m) and feeds on filamentous algae, crabs, worms, sponges, soft and stony corals, sea anemones, and other invertebrates.

General Husbandry: Quite attractive and hardy, as it has a yellowish body, greyish face, a narrow darkish band over the head from eye to eye, which ends just below the eyes, especially so in juveniles, yet fades somewhat in adults, and a wide black vertical band on the aft portion of the body.

Rarely seen in the U.S. hobby, yet somewhat common in the Japanese aquarium hobby and is said to adapt quite easily to aquarium life in larger peaceful fish-only community aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space. This species is an excellent browser of filamentous algae, therefore flake foods, and especially those containing Spirulina and/or Nori should be offered, as should a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and/or various frozen meaty foods such as mysis, and overall be offered several times daily.

Its recommended there is only one species from this genus in the aquarium, as they tend to develop aggression toward others of the same genus, yet not others in other family genera.

Rarely is there a problem getting this species to feed in the aquarium, however, small human consumption clams/black mussels purchased in local grocery stores and placed on the half-shell in the aquarium will help entice it to begin feeding. Over time, frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp will be more readily accepted.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Chaetodontidae

Genus: Chaetodon

FYI: This species was originally a member of the Prognathodes genus.

Pressing some soft foods into openings/crevices on a piece of old dead coral skeleton can sometimes encourage finicky eaters to begin feeding.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: No

Invertebrate Safe: No

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium.

Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Temperature Range: 61 - 78°F (16 – 25°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5