Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish
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| Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish | ||||||||||||||
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| Chaetodon ulietensis Cuvier, 1831 |
The Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish, Chaetodon ulietensis, also known as the false falcula butterfly, heralds from a large distribution range of the Indo-Pacific oceans. It is often found singly or in pairs on coral rich reef systems foraging on sessile invertebrates and algae. In aquarist terms, it is considered a hardy fish as well as beneficial for the control of nuisance pests.
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[edit] Distribution and range
The Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish flourishes in coral rich environments from the indo-pacific oceans. Their ranges are from the Cocos-Keeling Islands to the Tuamoto Islands, and north to Japan. They are often found from the surface to 20 m depths, more so in shallow, high current channels.
[edit] Description
They are white scaled with vertical thin black lines down the body with two gradient saddles on the fore and hind quarters of the back. Immediately after the hind quarter saddle, the body and tail is bright yellow with a black spot on the tail. The dorsal fin has a streak of yellow from the crown of the head to the tail. It displays a black eye band like a mask. They can reach a size of 6 inches (15 cm).
[edit] Behavior
It is typically found alone or in pairs, and rarely as a small group. It is not a territorial species, as it freely grazes throughout a wide range within reefs, lagoons and harbors. It is rarely ever observed in a deep reef environment or the open sea. Juveniles are typically reared in shallow lagoons, estuaries, or harbors.
As in most butterflyfish, the Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish is prone to blanching at night and when startled. As a measure of defense, they typically wedge themselves in tight crevasses to escape predators.
[edit] Feeding
An opportunistic omnivore, diet consists mainly of micro algae, plankton, and small sessile invertebrates.
[edit] In the aquarium
The Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish has been observed as a beneficial predator of nuisance Majano and Aiptasia anemones. Like most raccoon butterflyfish, the Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish will eliminate this pest within a 2 to 6 week period (depending on level of spread and size of the display). However, unlike most raccoon butterflyfish, this species rarely feeds on ornamental corals. The Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish readily accepts most prepared frozen and dry foods, thus it can easily make the transition to aquarium life, unlike the copperband butterfly or other less hardy raccoon species. Although commonly found in its distribution range, it is rarely imported by the aquarium trade.
