Pacific Double-saddle Butterflyfish

About

The Pacific Double-saddle Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ulietensis) is one of the more recognizable butterflyfishes in the trade, wearing two dark saddle-shaped patches across its pale yellow-white body. A pattern that makes it easy to pick out even in a crowded fish store tank. It ranges across a wide swath of the Indo-Pacific, from the Cocos-Keeling Islands all the way east to the Tuamoto Islands and north to Japan, where adults typically settle into coral-rich lagoon environments. Juveniles, interestingly, tend to show up in harbors and estuaries before moving on to reef habitats as they mature. In the wild this species is often seen alone, in bonded pairs, or occasionally in small loose groups, and like many butterflyfishes it appears to form monogamous pair bonds during breeding. Something that gives it a reputation as one of the more behaviorally interesting species in the family. It picks at both plant and animal material, which translates reasonably well to captive feeding. Most keepers find it accepts a varied diet without too much coaxing, making it a workable choice for someone with intermediate reef or FOWLR experience and enough space for an active, open-water swimmer.