Threadfin butterflyfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 20 cm. The largest on record measured 25 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 36 Chaetodon species on LumaReef: 12 cm (Spotted Butterflyfish) to 30 cm (Saddle Butterflyfish).

Threadfin butterflyfish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 180 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.

Threadfin 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).

Threadfin butterflyfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 56 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Purple tang, Powder blue tang, and Foxface rabbitfish.

Threadfin butterflyfish depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 0 to 60 m down. Close to most Chaetodon on LumaReef (1–40 m).

ReefIn the market520 coinsUncommon

Threadfin butterflyfish

Chaetodon auriga

It roams and pecks nonstop, the butterfly hardest on the corals.

The Threadfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga) is a tropical marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. It lives on and around reefs, between 0 and 60 m deep. Adults grow to about 20 cm; the largest on record measured 25 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 180 cm long and water at 23–27 °C.

Size: 20 cm
Smallest tank: 180 cm
Temperature: 23–27 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature23–27 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
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 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litres21 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres40 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres48 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along56 species

and 32 more species

Caution43 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Lined seahorse

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 25 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

0 m60 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderAcanthuriformes
FamilyChaetodontidae
GenusChaetodon
SpeciesChaetodon auriga
Described byForsskål, 1775

In other languages

German: Fähnchen-Falterfisch
Spanish: Pez mariposa de hebra
French: Poisson-papillon cocher
Italian: Pesce farfalla filamentoso
Dutch: Oogvlekkoraalvlinder
Russian: Клинополосая Рыба-бабочка
Japanese: トゲチョウチョウウオ
Chinese: 揚旛蝴蝶魚

Quick answers

Threadfin butterflyfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 20 cm. The largest on record measured 25 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 36 Chaetodon species on LumaReef: 12 cm (Spotted Butterflyfish) to 30 cm (Saddle Butterflyfish).
Threadfin butterflyfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 180 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.
Threadfin 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).
Threadfin butterflyfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 56 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Purple tang, Powder blue tang, and Foxface rabbitfish.
Threadfin butterflyfish: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Threadfin butterflyfish and corals: is it reef safe?: No, it may nip at corals.
Threadfin butterflyfish depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 0 to 60 m down. Close to most Chaetodon on LumaReef (1–40 m).