The Bennett's Butterflyfish, scientifically known as Chaetodon bennetti, is a strikingly beautiful marine fish found throughout the Indo-Pacific region. It's also known as the Bluelashed Butterflyfish, Eclipse Butterflyfish, or Archer Butterflyfish.
Appearance:
- They are a bright yellow overall.
- A prominent black bar outlined in bright blue runs vertically down their face, intersecting the eye.
- A black circle, also outlined in blue, is located on their upper body.
- Two brilliant blue lines curve across their lower body.
- They can reach a maximum size of about 20 cm (7.9 inches).
Natural Habitat:
- Bennett's Butterflyfish inhabitcoral reefs and lagoons with rich coral growth.
- Juveniles may be found in shallow Acropora thickets.
- Adults are often observed in pairs.
Aquarium Care:
- Tank Size: A minimum of 280 liters (around 75 gallons) is recommended, with larger tanks being preferable to provide ample swimming space. Some sources suggest a minimum of 500 liters (132 gallons) or even 800 liters for the well-being of this species.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 24-27°C (75-81°F)
- Salinity: 1.023-1.025 specific gravity
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Reef Safe: No, Bennett's Butterflyfish are not considered reef safe. They primarily feed on coral polyps in the wild and are likely to nip at or consume corals and possibly other invertebrates in a reef tank.
- Temperament: They are generally peaceful towards other non-aggressive fish. However, they can become territorial towards their own kind or fish with similar body shapes and coloration, especially in smaller tanks. It's usually best to keep them singly in captivity unless they are a mated pair and the tank is very large.
- Aquarium Setup:
- A well-established aquarium with stable parameters is crucial.
- Provide plenty of live rock to offer hiding places and areas for natural algae growth, which they may graze on.
- Ensure good water flow and efficient filtration.
- They require plenty of open swimming space.
- Hiding places among the rockwork are essential to reduce stress.
Diet:
- In the wild, their diet consists almost exclusively of coral polyps.
- Feeding them in captivity can be challenging, and they have a reputation for being finicky eaters.
- With acclimation and proper techniques, some captive-raised Bennett's Butterflyfish can learn to accept prepared foods such as:
- High-quality flake and pellet foods
- Frozen foods like Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and cyclopeeze
- Live foods may be needed initially to entice feeding, such as blackworms or small crustaceans.
- Some keepers have success with clam on the half shell or Masstick.
- A varied diet offered multiple times a day is crucial.
- Providing algae for grazing (e.g., spirulina-enriched foods) can also be beneficial.
Breeding:
- Breeding Bennett's Butterflyfish in captivity is rarely successful and requires very large, stable aquariums with natural structures to encourage spawning behaviour. They form pairs in the wild.
Difficulty Level:
- Keeping Bennett's Butterflyfish is generally considered intermediate to difficult due to their specialized diet in the wild and the challenges of acclimating them to aquarium life and prepared foods.
In summary, the Bennett's Butterflyfish is a stunning but potentially challenging fish to keep in an aquarium due to its natural diet and specific needs. A large, well-established tank with plenty of hiding places and a dedicated owner willing to provide a varied diet is essential for their long-term survival in captivity. They are not a suitable choice for reef tanks.
