Peppered Butterfly
Chaetodon guttatissimus
| 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 | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 55 gallons |
| Max Size | 5 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Peppered Butterfly (Chaetodon guttatissimus) is a classic Indian Ocean butterflyfish with a silvery-white base color covered in fine dark “peppered” spotting, plus a clean dark eye bar and warm orange accents near the rear dorsal area. It typically tops out around 5 inches, making it a manageable centerpiece fish for a dedicated butterflyfish or fish-only marine setup.
What You’ll Observe:
- Patrols open areas, then returns to rockwork in steady loops
- Often settles into a consistent “route” it repeats throughout the day
- Spends time inspecting crevices and shaded overhangs between swims
- In a calm tank, becomes a visible, daytime-active display fish
To succeed with this butterflyfish, provide stable water quality, open swimming room, and plenty of live rock to create sheltered lanes and retreats. Offer frequent, smaller meals while it settles in, then keep a varied menu of meaty frozen foods plus items like clam or mussel on the half shell to encourage confident feeding.
How long before it eats confidently after acclimation?
Many hobbyists report the first strong feeding response happens once it recognizes a repeatable feeding routine, often within the first several days.
Is it normal for it to “test peck” at different surfaces when exploring?
Yes—keepers commonly describe constant inspecting and pecking as normal for butterflyfish as they search for tiny foods on hard surfaces.
Does it do better being added early or late in the stocking order?
In mixed community systems, many aquarists prefer adding it after very boisterous eaters are established, but before highly territorial fish claim the entire rockwork.
What’s an easy “starter” food when it ignores pellets or flakes?
A common approach is offering clam/mussel on the half shell and finely chopped frozen meaty foods, then transitioning to a broader prepared-food rotation.
Will it stay in one area, or use the whole tank once settled?
Most owners see it expand its range over time, eventually using open water and rockwork together rather than hiding in a single corner.
Our selection process means you get robust, well-adjusted specimens that settle in quickly.
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