Bluelashed Butterflyfish
(Chaetodon bennetti)

Description

Bluelashed Butterflyfish: A Dazzling Jewel for Expert Aquarists

The strikingly beautiful Bluelashed Butterflyfish adds vibrant yellow and intricate blue markings to your large, mature marine aquarium. This highly specialized species is a true challenge, recommended only for advanced aquarists.

Overview

The Bluelashed Butterflyfish (*Chaetodon bennetti*) displays a brilliant yellow body adorned with captivating blue and black patterns. A prominent black bar, outlined in vivid blue, runs vertically through its eye, complemented by a black circular spot, also blue-rimmed, on its upper flank. Graceful curved blue lines sweep across its lower body, adding to its allure. They are typically observed swimming in pairs or small groups, actively foraging amongst the reef during the day.

Care Level

This species is exceptionally challenging and suitable only for expert marine aquarists due to its highly specialized dietary needs and delicate nature. The Bluelashed Butterflyfish is generally peaceful with other non-aggressive fish but can exhibit territorial behavior towards similar species. It is emphatically not reef-safe and will consume coral polyps and other invertebrates.

Tank Essentials

A minimum of 500 litres (132 gallons) is recommended for a single Bluelashed Butterflyfish, with larger tanks being ideal to provide ample swimming space and stable parameters. Ensure your aquarium is well-established with plenty of live rock offering both hiding places and areas for natural grazing. Maintain water temperature between 22-27°C and a pH of 8.1-8.4.

Diet

In the wild, Bluelashed Butterflyfish are corallivores, primarily feeding on coral polyps, algae, and small invertebrates. Adapting them to prepared aquarium foods is notoriously difficult. Success may require offering a varied diet including live clams, brine shrimp, blackworms, and chopped meaty foods, often applied to live rock to encourage feeding.

Why Buy From Us

When you buy Bluelashed Butterflyfish online from us, you’re choosing a commitment to responsible fishkeeping. We pride ourselves on ethically sourcing healthy aquarium fish, ensuring each specimen is rigorously quarantined and carefully acclimated before shipment, providing the best start for your challenging new inhabitant.

• Scientific Name: *Chaetodon bennetti*
• Common Name / Variant: Bennett’s Butterflyfish / Bluelashed
• Maximum Size: 20 cm
• Origin: Indo-Pacific
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Temperature: 22–27°C
• Lifespan: 5–8 years
• Swimming Zone: Mid

Begin your advanced marine journey with a Bluelashed Butterflyfish today!