Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: No

General Description: The Pakistan Butterflyfish, also referred to as the Red-tailed or Collare Butterflyfish, is native to the reefs of Sri Lanka and throughout the Indo-Pacific. With its banded face and rich reddish-brown body decorated with lightly-colored scales, the Pakistan butterfly brings a unique presence into the home aquarium. Like many butterflyfish, the Pakistan butterfly is not a good reef inhabitant because its wild diet includes various stony corals. An adult Pakistan butterfly can reach a size of approximately 7″.

Diet Requirements: Pakistan 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 Pakistan 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 more timid nature, a Pakistan butterfly should not be kept with overly aggressive species, especially those that can outcompete it in food resources. Compatability with other butterfly species is variable. A Pakistan butterfly would make a great addition to a peaceful fish only with live rock aquarium. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″; Medium: 2-1/2″ to 3-1/4″; Large: 3-1/2″ to 4-1/4″; XLarge: 4-1/2″ or larger.

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