🐠 Threadfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
Marine Butterflyfish • Coral Reef Grazer • Not Reef Safe • Fish-Only / FOWLR Display
 
📋 The Threadfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga) is a classic Indo-Pacific butterflyfish known for its distinctive chevron pattern and long trailing dorsal filament. Its white body is accented with diagonal lines, a dark facial band, and vivid yellow fins, making it a high-visibility display fish in large marine aquariums.
This species is an omnivorous reef grazer, feeding naturally on small invertebrates, coral polyps, algae, and benthic organisms. Due to its tendency to nip at sessile invertebrates, it is not reef safe, but it adapts well to fish-only or FOWLR setups with ample live rock.
An active, confident swimmer, the Threadfin Butterflyfish thrives in systems with strong water movement, excellent filtration, and large open areas. When provided with stable conditions and a varied diet, it becomes a stunning hardy butterflyfish choice for advanced or intermediate aquarists.
 
💡 Highlights
✨ Chevron Body Pattern: Diagonal striping with contrasting face band
⚪ High-Visibility Display Fish: Bright white and yellow coloration
📏 Impressive Adult Size: Reaches up to 23 cm
✅ Hardy Butterflyfish Choice: More adaptable than many butterflyfish
🐠 Ideal for FOWLR Tanks: Performs best in large fish-only systems