Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: No

General Description: The Barberfish Butterfly, also referred to as the Blacknosed Butterflyfish, is found in a very small region of the Pacific Ocean. With its overall yellow-gold body, bold markings and black nose, the Barber butterfly brings a unique presence into the home aquarium. Like many butterflyfish, the Barber butterfly is not a good reef inhabitant because its wild diet includes various stony corals. An adult Barber butterfly can reach a size of approximately 8″. Note: Barber butterflyfish are infrequently available given their limited geographic distribution.

Diet Requirements: Barber butterflies are carnivores. Encouraging a butterfly to accept prepared foods can be a challenge at first. We have found that offering live brine shrimp at the beginning can gain the interest of particularily fussy or stubborn individuals. Note: All of our butterflies for sale are eating a combination of live brine shrimp and frozen foods. A diet consisting of various frozen meaty preparations such as brine shrimp, spirulina brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and other mixed foods that include coral or sponge will maintain optimal health, immune function and coloration. Offer sheet algae to graze on, though not all individuals may show interest. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements, as butterflyfish have high metabolisms. It is not uncommon for butterflyfish to revert back to ignoring food altogether, or only accepting live foods, for a period of time due to the stress of a new environment.

Care Requirements: An established, minimum 125 gallon aquarium is ideal. Smaller specimens can be temporarily raised in smaller quarters (no less than 75 gallons) as long as it is upgraded accordingly. The Barber butterfly will appreciate some live rock and crevices to swim through and take refuge. Butterflyfish are sensitive to nitrite and ammonia spikes, and an established tank will also offer more abundant microfauna to forage on. Given their somewhat timid nature, a Barber butterfly should not be kept with overly aggressive or active species, especially those that can outcompete it in food resources. Compatability with other butterfly species is variable. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Small: 2″ to 3″; Medium: 3″ to 4″; Large: 4″ to 5″; XLarge: 5″+

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.