Pearscale Butterflyfish

The Pearscale Butterflyfish, *Chaetodon xanthurus*, is a captivating addition to the home aquarium, known for its striking appearance and active nature. Its body is primarily a pearly white to light yellow, adorned with a network of fine, dark lines that create a scaled or reticulated pattern. A prominent black band runs vertically through the eye, and the posterior portion of the body and tail fin are a vibrant yellow.

A minimum tank size of 75 gallons is recommended to provide ample swimming space and a stable environment. A well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock is ideal, offering both hiding places and opportunities for grazing on algae and small invertebrates. While generally considered reef-safe with caution, the Pearscale Butterflyfish may occasionally nip at certain corals, particularly soft corals and clam mantles. Therefore, it is best suited for a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) system or a reef tank with careful observation.

In the home aquarium, the Pearscale Butterflyfish typically reaches a size of around 5-6 inches. It is a diurnal species, active during the day and seeking shelter at night. Its diet should be varied and include a mix of high-quality marine flake and pellet foods, frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and other meaty foods. Offering marine algae or spirulina-based foods is also beneficial.

Distinguishing between male and female Pearscale Butterflyfish is difficult, as there are no readily apparent visual differences. Breeding in captivity is not commonly reported. This species is generally peaceful towards other fish, but may exhibit aggression towards conspecifics or other butterflyfish species in smaller tanks. Introducing it as one of the last fish to the aquarium can help minimize potential territorial disputes.