International Aquatics
Mertensii Butterflyfish
Mertensii Butterflyfish
🛡️ 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. For size preference please add a note on your order and we will match your fish to your requested size. If you just want the fish without our QT process, Please email us directly with your order number. Please note this does waive the 15 day guarantee.
Couldn't load pickup availability
My species/animal is a fish — the Mertensii Butterflyfish (Chaetodon mertensii). It is a peaceful species that is reef-safe with caution, admired for its elegant silver-white body crisscrossed with a fine orange lattice pattern, a bold vertical black eye band, and an orange-yellow dorsal area. Its refined coloration and smaller size make it a popular choice for both reef and fish-only aquariums.
Males typically look nearly identical to females, with no distinguishable external traits, although slight behavioral differences may emerge during courtship or spawning. Females/juveniles resemble adults in color and pattern, though juveniles may display slightly more translucent or muted tones until full maturity.
They reach about 5 inches in adult size and should be housed in aquariums of at least 70 gallons.
Provide plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding, a sandy substrate, and open swimming space, 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, sponge-based frozen foods, finely chopped seafood, and high-quality pellets or flakes. Occasional algae-based foods can help supplement their diet, 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.
Share
