Millet Butterflyfish

The Millet Butterflyfish is a charming Hawaiian endemic species and one of the most commonly encountered butterflyfish on Hawaiian reefs. Its body is a bright lemon yellow adorned with numerous small dark spots arranged in neat vertical rows, resembling millet seeds and giving the fish its common name. A faint dark eye bar crosses the face, and the overall impression is of a clean, attractively patterned fish with a sunny disposition.

Chaetodon miliaris is somewhat unique among butterflyfish in that it is primarily a zooplankton feeder rather than a strict corallivore. In the wild, it forms large aggregations that hover above the reef to feed on passing plankton, supplementing its diet with small invertebrates and occasional coral polyps. This planktivorous tendency makes it one of the easier butterflyfish to feed in captivity, as it readily accepts a wide variety of frozen and prepared foods.

Despite its ease of feeding, the Millet Butterflyfish is not considered reef-safe as it may nip at coral polyps and small invertebrates. It is peaceful and does well in community fish-only aquariums. This species can be kept singly, in pairs, or even in small groups in larger tanks, which is unusual for butterflyfish. Its smaller adult size of around 5 inches and Hawaiian endemic status make it a sought-after specimen for dedicated marine aquarists.