An Awesome Butterflyfish! But What is it?

[Bongo Shrimp]

Saw this on a japanese site and although I usually don't care for butterflyfish, this one is just awesome. Never seen it before though so I thought I'd share it here and at the same time see if anyone knows what it is.

The closest thing I could think of is possibly a juvenile pearlscale butterflyfish.

What do you think?


http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu79/SXM50/0020050002992.jpg

[myerst2]

Easily acquired in the states Chaet. mesocleucos

[michael_cb_125]

Obligate Coralivore.

Sorry it is a no go.

~Michael

[myerst2]

And for a bfly, it adapts pretty easily to captive life. T

[myerst2]

So sorry wrong id and fish on my part. Try the fish I listed as it is similar in coloration and not a coralivore

[myerst2]

It is a Chaet larvatus

[Bongo Shrimp]

Ok yep, larvatus. Awesome looking butterfly. The one in the pic must be a juvi.

So how big do they get? Do they eat corals? Reef safe?

Thanks for the ID.

[tcmfish]

They need to eat corals...

[Bongo Shrimp]

Too bad. I find one butterflyfish I actually like and it eats corals.

[tcmfish]

You act like most don't...

[Bongo Shrimp]

Well I have heard of the one or two that don't...

[Blownsvt]

pretty much all the butterflies are known to eat corals. Though i tend to think you can get away with most of them if you feed regularly enough.

[SDguy]

C. larvatus, triangulum, baronessa.... all similar, all coral eaters, and not just any coral, but tabling acropora is what they are found around most often.

Their mouth is literally shaped like an acropora coralite.

[tcmfish]

The ones in the genus Hemitaurichthys are safe. Others... with caution or just plain not reef safe.

[Blownsvt]

mine is a Chaetodon ulietensis. Generally not safe but i have mangaed it pretty well so far.

[Reefdiver72]

Ok whats the difference in feeding them some coral or some high dollar food!! Just get another tank to grow more coral to replace the coral they eat I bet you would be money ahead. LOL just my Opinion.

[iamwhatiam52]

Nothing new to add to the discussion except saltcorner.com is a great ID site.

Here is the beauty you asked about.
http://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=498

Not just for fish, but for nearly everything.

http://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsesection.php

[HOBrien]

Easily acquired in the states Chaet. mesocleucos

Are you talking about the Singapore Angel? that is all that pops up when I google.

[iamwhatiam52]

Are you talking about the Singapore Angel? that is all that pops up when I google.

Same species name, different but similarly named genus.

Singapore Angel is Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus

Whiteface Butterfly is Chaetodon mesoleucos