Japanese Butterflyfish

My species/animal is a fish — the Japanese Butterflyfish (Chaetodon nippon). It is a peaceful species that is reef-safe with caution, admired for its subtle yet beautiful coloration featuring pale body tones with distinct black vertical bands and a hint of yellow on the fins, along with its compact size and graceful swimming behavior.

Males typically show little to no sexual dimorphism, appearing very similar to females, though males may display more territorial or courtship behaviors during breeding. Females/juveniles have similar coloration and patterns, with juveniles often displaying softer or less defined markings that mature over time.

They reach about 5 to 6 inches in adult size and should be housed in aquariums of at least 60 gallons.

Provide ample live rock for grazing and hiding, open swimming space, and a sandy substrate, stable water parameters (salinity ~1.020–1.025, temp ~72–79°F, pH ~8.1–8.4), and a secure lid since many species are prone to jumping.

Diet should consist of frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, marine pellets, and algae-based foods, and with proper care this fish makes a standout addition to the aquarium.

International Aquatics Quarantine & Guarantee: All fish are checked by marine vets, given a formalin bath, and held for 14 days in copper-treated systems. We feed Selcon-soaked food with Kanaplex and Metroplex during quarantine. Unless marked, all livestock comes with our 15-Day Guarantee. You will receive a video of your fish eating before shipment. On request, we also send photos/videos after arrival at IA. Some species are import-to-order (3-10 business days). Many common species are already cleared or near the end of QT.

Several species will be import-to-order and may take anywhere from 3-10 business days to secure. Once your fish is secured, you will be notified, and the quarantine process will then begin.