Appearance:
- Body: Vibrant yellow-orange to pinkish-yellow base color.
- Markings: Features several thin, darker vertical stripes or lines running across the body.
- Fins: Often has reddish-orange hues on the fins, particularly the anal and caudal (tail) fins.
- Facial Mask: A dark band typically runs through the eye.
Adult Size:
- Melon Butterflyfish typically reach an adult size of 5 to 6 inches (13-15 cm).
Natural Habitat and Distribution:
- Indian Ocean (C. trifasciatus): East Africa to Western Indonesia.
- Pacific Ocean (C. lunulatus): Western Pacific, including the Great Barrier Reef (relevant for Caboolture).
- Inhabit coral-rich lagoons and semi-protected seaward reefs, often swimming in pairs. They feed exclusively on coral polyps.
Aquarium Care (Expert/Advanced Due to Diet):
- Minimum Tank Size: A minimum of 75-100 gallons (284-378 liters) is recommended for a single individual. For a pair, a larger tank of 120 gallons or more is ideal. They are active swimmers and require ample space.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C)
- Salinity: 1.020-1.025 specific gravity
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
- Ammonia and nitrites should be 0 ppm. Nitrates should be kept as low as possible, ideally below 10-20 ppm.
- Diet: This is the most critical and challenging aspect.
- Obligate Corallivore: In the wild, they feed exclusively on live coral polyps, particularly Pocillopora species.
- In Captivity: This makes them extremely difficult to keep long-term without a constant supply of live corals.
- Very Low Success Rate: Many specimens will not transition to prepared foods and will slowly starve, even if they initially pick at them.
- Attempted Foods (often with limited success): Some hobbyists attempt to offer small meaty foods like frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped squid/clams, or specialized frozen foods for finicky eaters. Algae or spirulina-based foods may also be accepted by some, but will not provide sufficient nutrition.
- Multiple Feedings: If you manage to get them to eat prepared foods, small, frequent feedings (3-4 times a day) are necessary.
- Temperament:
- Generally considered peaceful towards most other fish.
- They can be territorial or aggressive towards other butterflyfish, especially those of similar size or appearance, or other Chaetodon species. Best kept as a single specimen or a well-established pair.
- Reef Compatibility: NOT REEF SAFE. They are obligate corallivores and will consume coral polyps. They are also known to nip at tubeworms and potentially clams. This species is suitable only for fish-only with live rock (FOWLR) tanks, or a dedicated species tank where you are prepared to provide live coral as food.
- Tank Setup:
- Provide plenty of live rock with caves and crevices for hiding and security.
- Ensure ample open swimming space.
- A secure, tight-fitting lid is essential as they can jump.
- Good water circulation is important.
- Care Level: Expert. Due to their specialized diet and difficulty in acclimating to prepared foods, these are not for beginner or even intermediate aquarists unless fully prepared for the significant challenges.
- Acclimation: Slow and careful drip acclimation is essential.
- Quarantine: Highly recommended to quarantine new arrivals to observe for health issues and attempt to wean them onto prepared foods before introducing to the main display.
