Auriga Butterflyfish

The Auriga Butterflyfish is one of the most commonly encountered and widely distributed butterflyfish species in the Indo-Pacific, and its attractive appearance combined with relative hardiness has made it a popular choice for marine aquariums. The body is predominantly white to silvery with a series of diagonal dark chevron lines creating an elegant herringbone pattern across the flanks. A bold black eye band and a prominent black spot on the soft dorsal fin serve as characteristic field marks, while adults develop a distinctive trailing filament extending from the rear dorsal fin, giving rise to the common name Threadfin Butterflyfish.

In captivity, the Auriga Butterflyfish is regarded as one of the hardiest and most forgiving butterflyfish species available. It readily accepts a wide variety of prepared, frozen, and even flake foods, making the transition to aquarium life considerably smoother than many of its relatives. This species is an active daytime swimmer that constantly forages along the rockwork, picking at algae and small invertebrates with its small, protruding mouth.

While the Auriga Butterflyfish is generally peaceful toward tankmates, it is considered reef-safe only with caution. This species is an opportunistic feeder that may nip at soft coral polyps, zoanthids, anemone tentacles, and sessile invertebrates such as feather duster worms. It is best suited for fish-only or mixed reef systems where the aquarist is willing to accept some potential coral nipping. Keep singly unless a mated pair can be obtained, as territorial disputes between conspecifics are common.