{"product_id":"larvatus-butterflyfish-chaetodon-larvatus","title":"Larvatus Butterflyfish - Chaetodon larvatus","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarvatus Butterflyfish (\u003cem\u003eChaetodon larvatus\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Larvatus Butterflyfish is a striking Red Sea butterflyfish recognised for its warm yellow-orange body, contrasting facial mask and elegant disc-shaped profile. Beautiful but highly specialised, it is best suited to experienced marine aquarists with mature systems, excellent water quality and carefully planned feeding. Due to its natural reliance on coral polyps, 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\u003eLarvatus Butterflyfish, Hooded Butterflyfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChaetodon larvatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 12–14 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 Larvatus Butterflyfish is associated with Red Sea coral reef environments, where it inhabits coral-rich reef slopes and areas with extensive hard coral growth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt spends much of its time moving around living coral colonies while feeding on 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 Larvatus 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, non-aggressive tankmates that will not intimidate it or outcompete it at feeding time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecialist Corallivore\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Larvatus Butterflyfish naturally feeds heavily on live coral polyps and can be extremely difficult to maintain long term in captivity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNew specimens may be reluctant to accept conventional prepared foods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhere possible, offer a varied selection of finely chopped marine foods, enriched brine shrimp, mysis, mussel and other suitable foods while monitoring feeding response very closely.\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 excellent water quality is strongly recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Larvatus Butterflyfish is an active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time moving around reef structure in search of food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt benefits from open swimming space together with complex rockwork and sheltered areas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnce settled, it can become a graceful and highly visible display fish, but maintaining body condition can be challenging because of its specialised natural diet.\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 Larvatus Butterflyfish should not be considered reef safe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt naturally feeds on coral polyps and is likely to damage stony corals in a conventional reef aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is therefore better suited to specialist fish-only marine systems where its feeding requirements can be closely managed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species is best suited to experienced marine aquarists due to its highly specialised feeding requirements.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide a mature aquarium with stable water chemistry, excellent filtration and strong oxygenation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMonitor new specimens very carefully to ensure they begin feeding and maintain body weight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeveral small feeding opportunities throughout the day are preferable to one large meal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid aggressive or fast-feeding tankmates that may prevent the butterflyfish from accessing food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause long-term feeding can be difficult, this species should only be selected where the aquarist is prepared to provide intensive feeding and close observation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExperienced\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 significantly 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":68242039373997,"sku":"AG-105251","price":300.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":68242039406765,"sku":"AG-105252","price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":68242039439533,"sku":"AG-105253","price":500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/LarvatusButterflyfish-Chaetodonlarvatus.jpg?v=1794500774","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/larvatus-butterflyfish-chaetodon-larvatus","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}