Bluecheek Butterflyfish

The bluecheek butterflyfish lives only in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Its bright golden-yellow body is covered with thin orange-red vertical lines; the blue-gray patch extending downward from around the eye gives it its name. In the wild it is often seen in pairs, hovering motionless for long periods under table Acropora corals. Specimens are wild-collected; in a suitable environment it gets used to prepared food, but it needs a large, calm aquarium.

• At least 500 liters and 150 cm in length; larger for a pair.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; low nitrate.
• Shaded overhangs and a large swimming area; quarantine is recommended.
• Not reef-safe: It eats coral polyps, zoanthids and tube worms; a fish aquarium with live rock is the most suitable setting.

Omnivorous. Frozen mysis, brine shrimp, chopped mussels and shrimp, mixed foods for butterflyfish and dried seaweed; offer small amounts 2–3 times a day.

Peaceful and calm; mated pairs stay bonded to each other. With aggressive tankmates it becomes stressed and loses its appetite.

Good companions: Tangs, large angelfish, foxface, Heniochus, Genicanthus angelfish, calm wrasses.

Avoid: Reefs with corals, aggressive triggerfish, lionfish, small aquariums.