Exquisite Butterflyfish

The Exquisite Butterflyfish is a striking Red Sea endemic that showcases a bold graphic pattern of black and white chevron-like lines radiating across its compressed body. The rear half of the body transitions into deep black, while the face features a dark eye bar characteristic of the butterflyfish family. Bright yellow accents on the fins add warmth to this otherwise monochromatic design, creating one of the more visually dramatic butterflyfish species.

Chaetodon austriacus is found exclusively in the Red Sea and adjacent waters, where it inhabits coral-rich reef environments and feeds heavily on coral polyps. In captivity, this dietary preference presents a moderate challenge, though many specimens can be weaned onto prepared foods with patience. The species does best when offered a varied diet including frozen meaty foods supplemented with algae-based preparations and live foods to encourage initial feeding.

This species is peaceful and does well in community fish-only setups with non-aggressive tankmates. It is not suitable for reef aquariums due to its coral-feeding habits. The Exquisite Butterflyfish should be housed in a well-established aquarium with ample live rock, and is best kept singly or as a mated pair. Its Red Sea origins mean it may tolerate slightly warmer and more saline water conditions than Indo-Pacific species.