Black Back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon Melannotus)

Species Name : Chaetodon Melannotus  

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Black, White, Yellow

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : No

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 7"

Origin : Indo-Pacific 

Family : Chaetodontidae

Minimum Tank Size : 120 gallons

The Blackback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon Melannotus) is also known as the Black-backed Butterflyfish and the Melannotus Butterflyfish.

The body of the Blackback Butterflyfish is a typical butterflyfish shape, laterally compressed and oval with a pointed nose. The main body color is white with oblique black lines across the body. There is a  black patch across the rear dorsal section, going down to the top of the caudal fin. The face is yellow and a black horizontal bar runs through the eye. The fins are a bright yellow colour and there is a black spot just in front of the anal fin on the lower body. This fish grows up to 18 cm (about 7 inches) in length. When viewed at night or when frightened, this species changes color; the dorsal part of the body becomes black, except for two white spots.

The Black Back Butterflyfish should be the only butterflyfish, unless it has a mate, in a 120 gallon or larger aquarium that has numerous hiding places and plenty of room to swim. 

Peaceful or non-aggressive tankmates are recommended to reduce stress on the Butterfly. Black Back Butterflyfish are peaceful and can coexist well with many other marine species, although they can be territorial towards conspecifics; tank mates should not consist of overly aggressive or territorial fish that may bully others. Will nip at coral and invertebrates and not recommended for a reef tank. It is important to choose the right type of coral if you want to keep butterfly fish in a coral aquarium.

In the aquarium they should be fed a wide variety of meaty foods such as live, frozen, and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, krill, chopped clams, mussels, crab meat, and other meaty marine foods. They can eventually be conditioned to accept freeze-dried, prepared foods once they start eating regularly.

Size:

Small: 1-1/2" to 2-1/4"; Medium: 2-1/4" to 3-1/2"; Large: 3-1/2" to 4-1/2"