Black Butterfly
Chaetodon flavirostris
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
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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 | Expert |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 90 gallons |
| Max Size | 8 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Black Butterfly (Chaetodon flavirostris), sometimes listed as the Yellownose Butterflyfish, has a dark bluish-gray body with a contrasting pale mouth and a yellow snout. Its dorsal, anal, and tail fins show strong yellow coloration that stands out clearly under reef-spectrum lighting.
What You’ll Observe:
- Cruises open water, then turns to inspect rock faces closely
- Spends long stretches “picking” at surfaces between feedings
- Establishes a regular lap around the tank, repeating the same routes
- Shows the most activity when food hits the water and nearby fish join in
Provide a mature aquarium with stable rockwork and plenty of clear swimming room so it can alternate between patrol laps and close-up grazing. Offer a varied mix of meaty frozen foods along with some algae-based options, and feed in smaller portions more than once per day. It does best when tankmates allow it space to approach food and settle into a consistent routine.
Can this fish be kept as a single, or does it do better with a second Black Butterfly?
Many keepers choose one specimen, but some report better day-to-day confidence and more natural pacing when a bonded pair is introduced together in a large aquarium.
Why does it spend so much time “pecking” at rocks and equipment?
That constant picking is normal butterflyfish foraging behavior—think of it as continuous grazing and inspecting surfaces rather than “begging” for food.
How do I get it to recognize frozen foods quickly?
A lot of hobbyists have success starting with finely chopped, strongly scented foods (like clam/mussel-based blends) and feeding in the same spot so it learns a consistent “feeding station.”
Will it get along with other butterflyfish species?
It’s often mixed with other butterflies in larger systems when each fish has its own pacing room and the group is introduced with plenty of structure to break up line-of-sight.
Does it tend to follow other fish during feeding time?
Yes—many owners notice it watches bolder eaters and then joins in, especially once it learns the tank’s feeding schedule.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
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