Addis Butterflyfish - Chaetodon semilarvatus

Addis Butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus)

The Addis Butterflyfish is a striking marine butterflyfish recognised for its vivid yellow colouration, bold facial mask and elegant disc-shaped body. Graceful but demanding, it is best suited to large, mature marine aquariums with excellent water quality, plenty of swimming space and carefully selected tankmates. Due to its natural feeding behaviour around coral reefs, it should not be considered reef safe.

Common Name:
Addis Butterflyfish, Golden Butterflyfish

Scientific Name (Latin):
Chaetodon semilarvatus

Maximum Size:
Approximately 20–23 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Addis Butterflyfish is associated with tropical Red Sea reef environments, where it inhabits coral-rich lagoons, reef slopes and areas with extensive hard coral growth.

It spends much of its time swimming around reef structure while searching for coral polyps and other small food items.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive

The Addis Butterflyfish is generally peaceful towards unrelated marine fish but may show territorial behaviour towards similar butterflyfish.

It is best housed with calm to moderately robust tankmates that will not intimidate it or prevent it from feeding successfully.

Diet:
Omnivore / Corallivore

The Addis Butterflyfish naturally feeds heavily on coral polyps together with small benthic organisms and other reef-associated foods.

In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis, finely chopped prawn, mussel, enriched brine shrimp and quality marine preparations.

New specimens should be monitored closely to ensure they begin feeding consistently.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 500 litres

A spacious aquarium with extensive horizontal swimming room and substantial rockwork is strongly recommended.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Addis Butterflyfish is an active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time moving around rockwork and open reef-style areas.

It benefits from a combination of open swimming space and sheltered areas where it can retreat when disturbed.

Once settled, it can become a confident and highly visible display fish.

Reef Safe:
Not Reef Safe

The Addis Butterflyfish should not be considered reef safe.

It may feed directly on hard coral polyps and can also investigate other sessile invertebrates.

It is therefore generally better suited to fish-only or carefully planned marine systems rather than conventional mixed reef aquariums.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a large, mature marine aquarium with stable water chemistry, excellent filtration and strong oxygenation.

Extensive rockwork should be available for shelter and natural grazing behaviour.

This species can be sensitive during acclimation and should be observed carefully to ensure it is feeding well.

A varied diet should be offered several times throughout the day, particularly for newly introduced specimens.

Avoid highly aggressive tankmates that may outcompete or harass it.

Stable water quality and regular feeding are important for maintaining healthy body condition and strong colouration.

Suitable for:
Intermediate to Experienced

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.