Chaetodon guttatissimus

Chaetodon guttatissimus: the spotted butterflyfish, a delicate touch for marine aquariums

The Chaetodon guttatissimus, also known as the spotted butterflyfish, is an elegant and discreet butterflyfish native to the coral reefs of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. With its refined appearance and peaceful behavior, it is an excellent choice for spacious marine aquariums.

The Chaetodon guttatissimus features a grayish ovoid body finely spotted with black dots. Its dorsal, anal, and caudal fins display a beautiful yellow hue that elegantly contrasts with the main color of its body. Like many butterflyfish, a black vertical band crosses its head passing through the eye. This fish reaches about 10 cm at adulthood.

A peaceful and sociable behavior

The Chaetodon guttatissimus is a shy but non-aggressive fish. It naturally evolves in a group, pair, or solo depending on environmental conditions. This calm behavior makes it very compatible with other peaceful species in a community aquarium.

Thanks to its discreet nature and sociable temperament, it is particularly suited for well-balanced reef or fish-only aquariums.

A minimum 400-liter aquarium

The spotted butterflyfish Chaetodon guttatissimus requires an aquarium of at least 400 liters to thrive. To ensure its comfort, the environment should include:

• An adequate swimming space for its moderate activity,
• Clusters of live rocks forming natural hiding spots,
• Moderate water flow and excellent water quality.

A microphage and polyphage diet

The Chaetodon guttatissimus adopts a microphage and polyphage diet after acclimation. In its natural habitat, it primarily feeds on:

• Benthic micro-invertebrates,
• Small food particles found on the reefs.

In an aquarium, it accepts:

• Artemia, mysis live or thawed in small sizes,
• High-quality dry or pellet foods suitable for marine omnivores,
• Small pieces of thawed seafood.

Precise portioning of food is necessary to ensure it suits its small delicate mouth.

A discreet fish for elegant aquariums

The spotted butterflyfish Chaetodon guttatissimus is perfect for aquarists seeking a calm, elegant, and easy-to-integrate fish in a structured marine aquarium. Its spotted coat and peaceful behavior make it an excellent choice to subtly enliven a large reef tank or fish-only setup.

With an appropriate volume, rocky decor, and carefully selected diet, the Chaetodon guttatissimus will bring softness and harmony to your marine aquarium starting from 400 liters.