{"product_id":"arabian-butterflyfish-chaetodon-melapterus","title":"Arabian Butterflyfish - Chaetodon melapterus","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArabian Butterflyfish (\u003cem\u003eChaetodon melapterus\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Arabian Butterflyfish is a striking marine butterflyfish recognised for its vivid yellow body, contrasting black facial markings and elegant disc-shaped profile. Beautiful but specialised, it is best suited to 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArabian Butterflyfish, Arabian Butterfly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChaetodon melapterus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 12–15 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Arabian Butterflyfish is associated with tropical reef environments around the Red Sea and Arabian region, where it inhabits coral-rich reefs, lagoons and reef slopes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt spends much of its time moving around living coral colonies while searching for coral polyps and other small reef-associated food items.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature: 24–26°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSalinity: SG 1.024–1.026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNitrate: Low and stable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmonia\/Nitrite: 0 ppm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeaceful to Semi-Aggressive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Arabian Butterflyfish is generally peaceful towards unrelated marine fish but may show territorial behaviour towards similar butterflyfish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is best housed with calm to moderately robust tankmates that will not intimidate it or prevent it from feeding successfully.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOmnivore \/ Corallivore\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Arabian Butterflyfish naturally feeds heavily on coral polyps along with other small reef-associated foods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped prawn, mussel and quality marine preparations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNewly introduced specimens should be monitored carefully to ensure they begin feeding consistently.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 300 litres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA spacious, mature aquarium with extensive rockwork and open swimming room is strongly recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Arabian Butterflyfish is an active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time moving around coral and rock structure in search of food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt benefits from a combination of open swimming space and sheltered retreat areas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnce settled, it can become a highly visible and elegant display fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eNot Reef Safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Arabian Butterflyfish should not be considered reef safe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt may feed directly on hard coral polyps and can also investigate other sessile invertebrates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is therefore generally better suited to fish-only or carefully planned marine systems rather than conventional mixed reef aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide a mature marine aquarium with stable water chemistry, excellent filtration and strong oxygenation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExtensive rockwork should be available for shelter and natural grazing behaviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMonitor new specimens carefully to ensure they are feeding well and maintaining body condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeveral small feedings throughout the day are preferable to one large meal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid aggressive tankmates that may intimidate the fish or outcompete it at feeding time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStable water quality and regular varied feeding are important for long-term success.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntermediate to Experienced\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":68242151047341,"sku":"AG-105254","price":145.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":68242151080109,"sku":"AG-105255","price":185.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":68242151112877,"sku":"AG-105256","price":245.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/ArabianButterflyfish-Chaetodonmelapterus.jpg?v=1794501099","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/arabian-butterflyfish-chaetodon-melapterus","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}