Golden Semilarvatus Butterfly
Chaetodon semilarvatus
| 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 | 120 gallons |
| Max Size | 10 inches |
| Temperature | 76–82°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Golden Semilarvatus Butterfly (Chaetodon semilarvatus), also called the Bluecheek Butterflyfish, is a Red Sea butterflyfish known for a bright yellow body with fine vertical lines and a blue cheek patch. In the aquarium it spends its day cruising open water and weaving through rockwork, stopping often to inspect surfaces and crevices.
What You’ll Observe:
- Steady, graceful swimming with frequent laps along the front glass
- Regular “picking” behavior on live rock as it searches for small foods
- A consistent daily routine—active through the daylight hours and quick to recognize feeding time
- Interest in exploring new rockwork areas, then settling into a familiar patrol route
Provide plenty of swimming room plus mature live rock so it can browse between meals. Offer small, meaty frozen foods (like mysis and chopped clam) multiple times per day, and keep feeding areas calm so it can settle into a strong routine. In larger systems it’s often kept singly, and established pairs are commonly maintained when both fish are eating confidently.
Is it normal for this butterflyfish to “pick” at the rock all day?
Yes—many keepers describe constant inspection of rockwork as typical browsing behavior, especially in established tanks with mature surfaces.
How long does it usually take to see a strong feeding response?
Many hobbyists report a gradual ramp-up over the first 1–2 weeks as the fish learns the tank’s routine and becomes confident at feeding time.
Can two Golden Semilarvatus Butterflyfish be kept together without fighting?
M/F pairs are commonly kept, but hobbyists often note that early interactions can look territorial around food until the two fish settle into a stable pattern.
Will it take prepared foods, or does it need “training” first?
Keepers frequently mention starting with highly attractive frozen options (mysis, finely chopped seafood) and then widening variety once the fish eats aggressively.
Does this fish tend to stay in one area or roam the whole tank?
Most owners describe it as a “patroller” that establishes a regular loop around rockwork and open lanes rather than hovering in one spot.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
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