Pearlscale butterflyfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 12 cm. The largest on record measured 14 cm (standard length). Record sizes among the 36 Chaetodon species on LumaReef: 12 cm (Spotted Butterflyfish) to 30 cm (Saddle Butterflyfish).

Pearlscale butterflyfish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.

Pearlscale butterflyfish water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Chaetodontidae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).

Pearlscale butterflyfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 89 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Tomato clownfish, Lemonpeel angelfish, and Bicolor angelfish.

Pearlscale butterflyfish depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 6 to 50 m down. Close to most Chaetodon on LumaReef (1–40 m).

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Pearlscale butterflyfish

Chaetodon xanthurus

Timid and never still, probing the rock and nipping polyps all day.

The Pearlscale butterflyfish (Chaetodon xanthurus) is a tropical marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. It lives on and around reefs, between 6 and 50 m deep. Adults grow to about 12 cm; the largest on record measured 14 cm (standard length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 120 cm long and water at 23–27 °C.

Size: 12 cm
Smallest tank: 120 cm
Temperature: 23–27 °C
Care: Demanding

In the aquarium

Temperature23–27 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Lives on its own
Coral: Nips corals

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litres16 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres36 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres66 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres80 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along89 species

and 65 more species

Caution1 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Lined seahorse

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 14 cmstandard length, tail fin excluded
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

6 m50 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderAcanthuriformes
FamilyChaetodontidae
GenusChaetodon
SpeciesChaetodon xanthurus
Described byBleeker, 1857

In other languages

English: Crosshatch Butterflyfish
German: Orangen-Gitterfalterfisch
Spanish: Pez Mariposa de Cola Dorada
French: Poisson-papillon à queue orange
Italian: Pesce farfalla arancione
Russian: Сетчатая оранжевохвостая рыба-бабочка
Japanese: アミメチョウチョウウオ
Chinese: 紅尾蝴蝶魚

Quick answers

Pearlscale butterflyfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 12 cm. The largest on record measured 14 cm (standard length). Record sizes among the 36 Chaetodon species on LumaReef: 12 cm (Spotted Butterflyfish) to 30 cm (Saddle Butterflyfish).
Pearlscale butterflyfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Pearlscale butterflyfish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Chaetodontidae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).
Pearlscale butterflyfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 89 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Tomato clownfish, Lemonpeel angelfish, and Bicolor angelfish.
Pearlscale butterflyfish: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Pearlscale butterflyfish and corals: is it reef safe?: No, it may nip at corals.
Pearlscale butterflyfish depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 6 to 50 m down. Close to most Chaetodon on LumaReef (1–40 m).