Care
The Latticed Butterflyfish is an uncommon species found amongst areas of rich coral growth in lagoons, protected reef flats, and seaward reefs. These bright yellow fish with their delightful, intricate crosshatch pattern are often observed in pairs, feeding on anemones, polychaete worms, and octocorallian/scleractinian coral polyps, to depths of 15m (49ft). In larger aquaria, the Latticed Butterflyfish can be kept alongside other fairly peaceable butterflyfish and even members of its own kind, if they are introduced simultaneously. Ideally, other tankmates will also be fairly peaceful. This fish does best in mature aquaria containing plenty of live rock for the fish to browse on and forage amongst, and this will also provide plenty of visual barriers should the fish feel they need to dart to safety. Unfortunately, this species is not to be trusted with corals, zoanthids, or anemones. A large open swimming space should be left along the front of the tank, as these fish are energetic swimmers. As with all butterflyfishes, this species demands excellent water quality - thoroughly filtered and well oxygenated, with areas of decent current. Although tending to be of a fairly nocturnal nature in the wild, these fish adapt well to aquarium lighting and feeding schedules, and often become very active during the day. Interestingly, the Latticed Butterflyfish has the ability to change appearance to a shadowy form with a dark blotch on the anterior part of the body when wanting to blend into its surroundings at night, or when threatened. It may display this pattern during the day for some time after it is initially placed in its new home, but even so, it should feed and behave quite normally. May also be seen on sale as the Raffles Butterflyfish. The similar-looking butterfly,
Chaetodon semeion, can be distinguished from this species by the presence of a dorsal fin filament and no black band on the caudal fin. Not recommended for beginners.
Feeding
Offer a wide variety of foods, fed in small amounts several times per day. Frozen foods such as Angel & Butterfly mix, Mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, finely chopped clam/mussel/cockle/crab/shrimp/squid etc should be given, along with some greenfoods. Ensure the larger foodstuffs are chopped into small enough pieces on account of butterflyfish having tiny mouths.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in captivity. In the wild, these fish form distinct pairs and scatter their eggs in open water where they are dispersed by the currents.
