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Common Name/s: Threadfin / Auriga Butterflyfish
Maximum Adult Size: 23cm
Natural Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (extending to Mossel Bay, South Africa, Ref. 5372) to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe and Rapa islands 1 – 60m
Depth Range:
Species Notes & Captive Care Notes: Growing to around 23cm, the Threadfin or Auriga Butterflyfish is a non-selective feeder, but one that includes corals in its diet. For this reason this species should be housed in a large (minimum 500litre) FOWLR system. With a wide distribution across the Indo-Pacific this is a relatively shallow-water species which favours lagoons, flats and fore reef slopes at depths of 1 – 60m. Fairly assertive, durable and frequently available it can be kept with other similar species especially if introduced first and allowed to settle. As with many of the species mentioned, this species can be useful for consuming nuisance Aiptasia anemones but it is sure to consume corals and likely to eat molluscs, worms and crustaceans too. The Red Sea form of this species lacks the eye-spot on the dorsal fin.
References / Further Reading:
IUCN page with zoomable range map