Auriga Butterflyfish - Chaetodon auriga

Auriga Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)

The Auriga Butterflyfish, Chaetodon auriga, is a beautiful and highly recognisable marine butterflyfish, admired for its white body, fine dark chevron markings, bold black eye band, yellow rear body and trailing thread-like dorsal fin extension. Also known as the Threadfin Butterflyfish, this species is active, elegant and full of movement, making it a striking feature fish for large mature marine aquariums. It is generally hardier than some more specialist butterflyfish, but it is not suitable for coral-heavy reef aquariums due to its natural feeding behaviour around coral polyps, anemones, worms and other reef invertebrates.

Common Name:
Auriga Butterflyfish, Threadfin Butterflyfish, Threadfin Butterfly, Auriga Butterfly, Whip Butterflyfish, Diagonal Butterflyfish.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Chaetodon auriga

Maximum Size:
Up to around 25 cm, making it a medium to large butterflyfish that requires good swimming space and long-term planning.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found widely across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa across the Indian Ocean and into the central Pacific, including areas around Hawaii, the Marquesas, southern Japan, Lord Howe Island and surrounding reef regions. In the wild, Auriga Butterflyfish are seen in a range of habitats including coral-rich reefs, lagoons, rubble areas, weedy zones and reef slopes. They may be found singly, in pairs or in loose groups that travel over larger areas while searching for food.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Peaceful to semi-aggressive. Auriga Butterflyfish are usually manageable with suitably sized marine fish, but they can become assertive towards very timid species or other butterflyfish, especially in smaller aquariums. Best kept with peaceful to moderately robust tank mates that will not bully or outcompete them. Avoid housing with aggressive triggers, large predatory fish or very boisterous feeders while the butterflyfish is settling.

Diet:
Omnivorous with a strong benthic-feeding element. In the wild, this species feeds on polychaete worms, sea anemones, coral polyps, algae and other small reef foods. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, chopped clam, mussel, cockle, prawn, squid, quality marine pellets, flakes, sponge-based preparations and some algae-based foods. Several smaller feeds per day are ideal, especially while newly introduced specimens are adapting to aquarium foods.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical minimum of around 450–500 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for long-term adult care. Provide open swimming space, mature rockwork, caves, stable water quality and strong filtration.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time cruising around the aquarium, inspecting rockwork and picking at surfaces for food. It may be shy when first introduced but often becomes bolder once settled and feeding confidently. Auriga Butterflyfish appreciate open swimming lanes as well as rockwork for security and natural grazing behaviour. A secure lid is recommended, as startled marine fish can jump.

Reef Safe:
Not Reef Safe
Auriga Butterflyfish are not recommended for typical reef aquariums. They may nip at soft corals, LPS corals, SPS polyps, zoanthids, anemones, feather dusters, tube worms, clam mantles and other sessile invertebrates. They are best suited to fish-only systems, FOWLR aquariums or carefully planned displays where coral and invertebrate predation is not a concern.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature marine aquarium with stable water quality and plenty of natural grazing opportunities. Although generally more adaptable than some obligate coral-feeding butterflyfish, new specimens should be observed carefully to ensure they are feeding well. Offer a varied diet and avoid aggressive tank mates during the settling period. This species can grow larger than many customers expect, so long-term space should be considered before purchase.

Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Regularly available in the marine aquarium trade / Availability can vary depending on collection, import, size 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.