Sunset Butterflyfish

Sunset Butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis)

The Sunset Butterflyfish, also known as the Pelewensis Butterflyfish or Dot-Dash Butterflyfish, originates from the reefs of the South Pacific. This butterflyfish features an oval shape with stunning yellow to orange hues covering most of its body. Its black bands run diagonally, and its fins are outlined in striking yellow.

For optimal care, the Sunset Butterflyfish should be housed in very large, peaceful community aquariums with plenty of live rock. It should be kept singly, avoiding conspecifics or similar butterflyfish, and should not be kept with stress-inducing fish. This species is not suitable for reef aquariums as it tends to eat most invertebrates and nip at corals.

Feeding the Sunset Butterflyfish can be challenging as it is a shy and deliberate eater. It may require a variety of foods to start feeding, including mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen whole cockle, and seaweed-based foods.