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Merten's ButterflyfishAtoll Butterflyfish Family: Chaetodontidae
Think you've seen this fish someplace before? Well, that's because there are three other very similar Chaetodon butterflyfish that look a lot like the Mertens Butterflyfish! All four are more often identified by where they come from rather than from their looks.The Mertens Butterflyfish is closely related to the Philippine Chevron Butterflyfish, Chaetodon xanthurus. It will sometimes rid reef aquariums of the dreaded aiptasia anemone. The similar looking species, the Eritrean butterflyfish Chaetodon paucifasciatus is found in the Red Sea. For more Information on keeping this fish see:
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| Geographic Distribution Chaetodon mertensii |
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| Point data provided by FishBase.org |
Maintenance difficulty:
The Mertens Butterflyfish is medium difficult to keep.
Maintenance:
It is important that you feed Butterfly fish a good variety
of live, frozen, and prepared formula foods with emphasis on vegetables
and spirulina. These foods can include live brine, flakes, and frozen
foods of all kinds including Formula I, Formula II, Angel Formula and
spirulina. Several sponge based frozen foods are now available and can
also be fed to butterflyfish. Best to feed small amounts several times
a day.
Foods:
Listed as omnivores, they eat both algae and protein foods.
Social Behaviors:
Juveniles are found in groups while adults are usually solitary,
only sometimes are they seen in pairs. They are timid and not often seen
in the wild. They are not belligerent to other aquarium residents.
Sexual differences:
Unknown.
Light: Recommended light levels:
No special requirements.
Breeding/Reproduction:
Probably will not be accomplished in captivity. See the description
in the See Breeding
Marine Fish for information on reproductive habits.
Temperature:
No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish
is between 75 and 79 degrees.
Length/Diameter of fish:
Mertens Butterflyfish adults can grow to 12.5 cm (5 inches).
Minimum Tank Length/Size:
A minimum 50 gallon aquarium is recommended. Provide rockwork
and hiding places.
Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
No special requirements.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
Swims all over the aquarium.
Availability:
This fish is available from time to time and is inexpensive.
Comments from people who have kept this fish:
these fish are great! your website really helped me out. thanks a bunch!
Mertens Butterflyfish are great! From your web page i got the info. on a report for my science teacher, and a great fish to match. i will visit this site more often. thank you animal-world! -Allie R.
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Author: David Brough. CFS.
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