Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish
Chaetodon pelewensis
Also known as: Dot and Dash Butterflyfish, Dot-and-dash Coralfish
A Pacific beauty that pairs for life and takes well to aquarium living.
About
The dot-and-dash butterflyfish (Chaetodon pelewensis) is a compact and well-patterned reef fish from the central and southern Pacific, ranging from Australian waters east through Fiji, Samoa, and as far as the Society Islands and Tuamoto Archipelago. Its common name comes from the distinctive series of diagonal dashes and spots that run across its pale body, giving it a look that sets it apart from many of its close relatives. In the wild, adults are strongly paired and monogamous, forming lasting bonds during the breeding season, while younger fish tend to live on their own. Their natural diet revolves around coral polyps and small benthic invertebrates, which makes them a risky choice for a reef tank with prized corals. That said, they adapt to captivity more readily than a lot of butterflies do, and most individuals will accept a varied diet of prepared and frozen foods without too much fussing. That relative willingness to eat is one of the things that bumps this species up from "difficult" to intermediate in terms of care. If you can offer a roomy, well-established system and keep the coral stock in mind before adding one, the dot-and-dash is a rewarding and personable fish that tends to settle in well.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish get?
- The Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish reaches about 3–6" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish need?
- A minimum of 55 gallons is recommended for the Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish.
- What water parameters does the Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish need?
- The Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish aggressive?
- The Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish eat?
- The Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish live?
- With good care, the Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish typically lives 5-10 years.
- Is the Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish reef safe?
- The Dot-and-dash Butterflyfish is not considered reliably reef safe and may harm corals or invertebrates.