Tahiti Butterfly
Chaetodon trichrous
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 70 gallons |
| Max Size | 5 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Tahiti Butterfly (Chaetodon trichrous) is a compact butterflyfish from French Polynesia with a two-tone body: a light gray front half, a dark brown-to-black rear half, and a yellow tail. It has a narrow black bar through the eye and a cruising, open-water swimming style that stands out in fish-only marine displays.
What You’ll Observe:
- Patrols the tank in steady laps, regularly weaving between open water and rockwork edges
- Checks rock surfaces and crevices between swims, especially once it recognizes the feeding routine
- Becomes most interactive around mealtimes and often follows movement at the glass
- If kept as a pair, you may see short, repeated “display” interactions as they sort out spacing
Provide plenty of swimming room with some rock structure for breaks in line-of-sight. Offer small meaty foods (like mysis and chopped seafood blends) on a consistent schedule so it can settle into a reliable feeding pattern. In pairs, introduce both specimens at the same time for best long-term spacing.
Will it usually take frozen foods right away, or does it need a “training” period?
Many keepers report it settles fastest when offered several small meaty options on a consistent schedule, then expands its feeding response as it recognizes the routine.
Does it do better alone, or as a pair?
Both are common in home aquariums; hobbyists often note that pairs can work well when introduced together and given enough room to establish personal space.
What “normal” daily behavior should I expect once it’s settled in?
A typical pattern is steady cruising with frequent passes by the rockwork, plus a noticeable increase in activity when it anticipates feeding.
How likely is it to nip at corals in a mixed reef?
Reef outcomes vary by individual, but most hobbyists treat Chaetodon butterflyfish as fish to monitor around coral polyps and choose a setup where occasional sampling isn’t a concern.
Are there foods that tend to keep it engaged long-term?
Hobbyists often rotate mysis, finely chopped seafood, and quality prepared meaty blends to keep interest high and feeding response consistent.
Our selection process means you get robust, well-adjusted specimens that settle in quickly.
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