Saddleback Butterflyfish

The Saddleback Butterflyfish is one of the larger and more distinctive members of its family, immediately recognizable by the large dark saddle-shaped blotch on the upper rear portion of its body. The body is predominantly gray to olive, becoming yellow on the belly and lower flanks, with a striking blue-gray face region. Adults develop a long, filamentous extension from the rear dorsal fin that adds to the species' dramatic profile. Juveniles display an additional eyespot on the dorsal fin that fades with maturity.

In the marine aquarium, the Saddleback Butterflyfish is a moderately hardy species that adapts to captive conditions reasonably well. Its large adult size requires a spacious tank, and it is an active swimmer that utilizes the full volume of the aquarium. Most specimens will accept frozen foods relatively quickly, and once established, they are generally robust and long-lived. A varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, spirulina, and marine pellets will keep this species in excellent condition.

The Saddleback Butterflyfish is not reef safe and will consume soft coral polyps, zoanthids, anemone tentacles, and other sessile invertebrates. It is best suited for large fish-only or FOWLR systems with plenty of open swimming space and live rock structure. This species is peaceful toward other fish and should be kept singly unless a mated pair is available.