Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: No
General Description: The Pearlscale Butterflyfish, also sometimes referred to as the Yellow-tailed Butterflyfish, Crosshatch Butterflyfish or Philippines Chevron Butterflyfish, is native to the central Indo-Pacific ranging from Indonesia and the Philippines north to the Ryukyu Islands. The body is pearly white and the scales have black edges, giving the sides a more cross-hatched pattern instead of the clear chevrons in similar looking species. The hind parts are orangey-yellow, the base of the caudal fin is white. The head is darker than the body and bears the characteristic pattern of its lineage, consisting of vertical black eye stripes and a black white-rimmed crown spot. They can reach an adult length of approximately 6 inches.
Care Requirements: This species may be kept in a 75 gallon aquarium individually, but would prefer a 125 gallon or larger aquarium with other butterflyfish, including members of its own species, if they were introduced to the tank at the same time. A fish only or fish only with live rock setup is best since the Pearlscale Butterflyfish is not reef safe and may eat leather corals, other soft corals and small invertebrates. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Diet Requirements: This Butterflyfish is naturally an omnivore, primarily preying upon benthic invertebrates such as coral, mussels, and crustaceans. It is ideal to provide a balanced diet of both meaty items such as chopped fish, crustaceans, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp and algae, such as Spirulina, Chlorella, and marine sheet algae.
Approximate Purchase Size:Â Small: 1-1/2″-2-1/4″, Medium: 2-1/4″-3-1/2″, Large: 3-1/2″-4-3/4″.
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Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Sizes are also approximate.Â
