🐠 Blackback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus)
Coral Feeder • Reef Butterflyfish • Display Species • Indo-Pacific Beauty
 
📋 The Blackback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) is a graceful coral reef species that captivates aquarists with its vivid coloration and refined swimming style. Its bright yellow body is accented by a black dorsal saddle and a dark eye band, giving it a distinctive and photogenic appearance.
Found across Indo-Pacific coral reefs, this species inhabits shallow lagoons and outer reef slopes, where it feeds primarily on coral polyps and benthic invertebrates. While not reef safe, it thrives in FOWLR aquariums or large peaceful marine tanks with open swimming space and stable water quality.
With proper acclimation and a varied diet, the Blackback Butterflyfish adds motion and color to any marine display tank — a true symbol of tropical reef life.
 
💡 Highlights
✨ Bold coloration: bright yellow body with a striking black dorsal patch
⚪ Peaceful disposition: ideal for community marine tanks
📏 Medium-sized beauty: reaches up to 18 cm (7")
✅ Active swimmer: enjoys open reef zones and live rock spaces
🐠 Classic Indo-Pacific species: popular in public and home aquariums