Blue Blotched Butterflyfish-Chaetodon plebeius

The Bluespot Butterfly, Chaetodon plebius, also known as the  Blue-Blotch Butterflyfish and the Coral Butterflyfish.  With its beautiful yellow body along with a blue spot, and a  black stripe running through its eyes to aid to confuse from predators.  Juveniles resemble adults but lack the blue patch on the sides of the body.

This Butterflyfish makes a captivating addition to any tank. The Bluespot Butterfly is mainly nocturnal and can reach a size of 6" and should be kept in a tank no less than 50 gallons, if kept individually. And no less than 110 gallons if kept in a mated pair, and should be added at the same time. They can also be kept in small groups, bu tin a much larger system.

The Bluespot Butterflyfish requires lot of hiding spots as well as plenty of space to swim; therefore the tank should be cleverly decorated. It is also not considered reef safe, as it tends to nip over the corals and eat certain invertebrates. It is difficult to feed in captivity, but once it starts feeding it does well in the tank. They should be fed a varied diet with a combination of dry foods with live, fresh, or frozen meaty foods such as vitamin enriched Brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, Krill, chopped Clam, and other meaty preparation for its continued health. It is generally peaceful and can be kept in a friendly community aquarium.

The Bluespot Butterflyfish might turn territorial to other similar looking species; therefore we suggest you to keep the tank decorated with each niche, if you wish to keep them all together in your tank without aggression. Also, you can reduce the risk of aggression by keeping dissimilar sizes of butterflyfish and by introducing the smallest one at first.  The Bluespot Butterflyfish thrives well in a temperature range of 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit and pH of 8.1-8.4.