< All fish

black-backed butterflyfish

Scientific name Chaetodon melannotus
Descriptor Bloch & Schneider
Year of description 1801
IUCN category (World) LC
Family Chaetodontidae
Genus Chaetodon
Chaetodon melannotus Chaetodon melannotus
Français English Español Italiano

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

  • Average size
    16 cm
  • Maximum size
    18 cm
  • Shape
    Circular
  • Pattern
    diagonal stripes
  • Average size
    16 cm
  • Maximum size
    18 cm
  • Shape
    Circular
  • Pattern
    diagonal 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

  • diet
    omnivorous with carnivorous tendency
  • Sociability
    living as a couple or alone
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

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

  • Reproduction
    ovipare 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?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

Where to see this species?

Aquarium de La Réunion Aquarium de Lyon Aquarium des Lagons Oniria

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    23 - 27 °C
  • Depth
    2 - 20 m
  • Flow
    Medium

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

  • Min volume
    400 liters
  • Population min
    1
  • Temperature
    23 - 27 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    8.2 - 8.4

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    easy
  • Robustness
    tolerant
  • Behaviour
    peaceful
  • Availability
    standard

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.

The realization of a seawater aquarium requires certain knowledge beforehand. Seawater is generally synthetic, consisting of reverse osmosis water and synthetic salt at a level of 33g / liters. It is also possible to take seawater directly (after making sure that the water is not polluted). The operation of a seawater aquarium is done in three phases: the installation of a living stone decoration, the introduction of invertebrates one month later, and the introduction of fish 3 months later. It is essential to wait as long as possible before to introduce the animals so that the micro-fauna has had time to develop well. The balance and the physico-chemical stability are fundamental for the success of this type of tank.

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

Be careful, the black-backed butterflyfish is incompatible with corals.

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

  • egg-laying protection
    No

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.

These animals might interest you

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

BioObs fishbase EOL

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

Benoit Chartrer

Patrick 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.

Interact with Fishipedia

To get in touch with our team or participate in our project.

Template and content © Fishipedia - Unauthorized reproduction without prior request - ISSN 2270-7247 - Last modification 12/11/2023

Where to see this species?

Aquarium de La Réunion Aquarium de Lyon Aquarium des Lagons Oniria

Scientific partners

UICN France fishbase Worms BioObs

Tags

#Chaetodontidae

#Chaetodon

#barrière de corail

#lagon

#Great Barrier Reef

#mer d'Oman

#Philippine Sea

#Sea of Japan

#Red Sea

#South East Asian Seas

#Indonesian seas

#Western Tropical Pacific Ocean

#Bali

#Réunion

#Nusa Penida

Species of the same family

Same genus

Species of the same biotope

  • {{name}}

    {{#street_number}}{{street_number}}, {{/street_number}}{{#route}}{{route}}{{/route}}
    {{postal_code}} {{town}}

    {{#phone}}{{phone}}{{/phone}}{{^phone}}-{{/phone}}
    {{#displayDistance}}{{getFormatDistance}}{{/displayDistance}}