black-backed butterflyfish
Scientific name | Chaetodon melannotus |
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Descriptor | Bloch & Schneider |
Year of description | 1801 |
IUCN category (World) | LC |
Family | Chaetodontidae |
Genus | Chaetodon |
Introduction
The Chaetodon melannotus is a black-backed butterflyfish found from the Red Sea to Micronesia. It is also listed in the reefs of Réunion Island.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size16 cm
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Maximum size18 cm
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ShapeCircular
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Patterndiagonal stripes
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Average size16 cm
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Maximum size18 cm
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ShapeCircular
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Patterndiagonal stripes
How to recognize the black-backed butterflyfish ?
The Chaetodon melannotus is tricolored with a predominantly yellow, black, and white body. It also has diagonal black stripes. The upper part of the back shows a dark brown to black gradient.
Sexual dimorphism
Dimorphism not specified.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietomnivorous with carnivorous tendency
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Sociabilityliving as a couple or alone
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territorialNo
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Way of livingdiurnal
The Chaetodon melannotus is a black-backed butterflyfish that lives in pairs or solitarily and naturally resides close to the bottom. It is sometimes also seen in small groups.
Generally, it is an independent fish that does not pay much attention to other species. However, it may show some signs of aggression towards its conspecifics.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare qui pond en eau libre
The Chaetodon melannotus is an oviparous fish that spawns in open water.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature23 - 27 °C
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Depth2 - 20 m
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FlowMedium
Biotope presentation
The black-backed butterflyfish is most commonly found at depths of less than 20m. However, it is not impossible to find this fish at other depths. It usually stays close to corals and seagrass beds where it finds its food.
Species of the same biotope
Main recommendations for fishkeeping
Deontology
In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.
Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.
We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.
Our recommendations
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Min volume400 liters
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Population min1
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Temperature23 - 27 °C
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pH (acidity)8.2 - 8.4
Characteristics
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Difficulty breedingeasy
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Robustnesstolerant
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Behaviourpeaceful
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Availabilitystandard
General reminders
It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.
General reminder on maintenance datas
Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.
Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.
Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.
Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.
En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.
Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.
Specific needs for the black-backed butterflyfish
The black-backed butterflyfish is a marine species which lives naturally at a temperature between 23 °C and 27 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 30°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month. In seawater, it is also possible to remove nitrates using one of the following methods: Jaubert, denitrator on sulfur, biopeletts, vodka method.
Breeding this species is accessible to any hobbyist. It is recommended to follow some basic rules and to be rigorous to achieve a good maintenance.
Formal incompatibilities
Cohabitation & Environment
In a community aquarium context, this species should be kept in a minimum volume of 400 liters.
The black-backed butterflyfish is a peaceful species that generally does not exhibit behavioral problems in a community aquarium.
Tips for feeding
The black-backed butterflyfish is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency.
This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.
You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.
Reproduction protocol
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egg-laying protectionNo
Hybridization risks
In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.
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To go further
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Benoit Chartrer
Patrick Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.