🐠 Falcula Butterflyfish (Chaetodon falcula)
A White Body Turning Yellow Toward the Dorsal Side • Two Bold Black Saddle Patches • A Hardy, Nocturnal Butterflyfish
 
📋 A note on identification: the Falcula Butterflyfish, also known as the Blackwedged or Sickle Butterflyfish, is commonly confused with, and sometimes sold as, the closely related Double-Saddle Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ulietensis). Both share a similar white-and-black saddle pattern, so ask us to confirm identification if you're unsure which species you're purchasing.
This species has a striking body, mostly white, turning yellow toward the dorsal side, marked with narrow black stripes, two bold black saddle patches, and a black eye band. It comes from the Indian Ocean, and it's a nocturnal butterflyfish, most active after dark, so subdued lighting during the initial settling-in period helps it feel secure. Every Falcula Butterflyfish we ship is feeding well.
It's not reef safe, and will eat anemones, hard corals, and mushroom anemones, making it more of a coral risk than some visually similar butterflyfish. It's peaceful toward most tankmates, though it can be territorial toward its own kind, and does best kept solitary or as a confirmed pair in a larger, well-oxygenated tank with strong water movement. Triggerfish are not a good tankmate choice for this species. It reaches up to 20cm, so plan on at least 415L, and 570L for a pair.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 White to Yellow Body With Black Saddles: A striking, classic butterflyfish pattern
🔍 Often Confused With a Lookalike: Ask us to confirm identification if unsure
🌙 A Nocturnal Species: Most active after dark, benefits from subdued initial lighting
🪸 Not Reef Safe: Will eat anemones, hard corals, and mushroom anemones
💪 Hardy: Peaceful toward most tankmates once settled