{"product_id":"auriga-butterflyfish-chaetodon-auriga-saltwater","title":"Auriga Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Auriga Butterflyfish (\u003cem\u003eChaetodon auriga\u003c\/em\u003e), also sold as the Threadfin Butterflyfish, is the hardiest and most forgiving member of a family that is otherwise notoriously difficult. A crisp white body carries a fine herringbone crosshatch, a black bandit mask through the eye, and a broad wash of yellow across the rear half. Adults trail a long thread-like filament from the top of the dorsal fin, which is where both names come from (\u003cem\u003eauriga\u003c\/em\u003e is Latin for charioteer, after the trailing whip). Care level is intermediate, temperament is peaceful, and this fish reaches a substantial 9 inches, so it needs a large, established fish-only or FOWLR system rather than a nano.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e, or see what else is swimming in the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003edisplay tanks\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 125 gallons minimum. This is an active, wide-ranging grazer that picks its way across rock all day, and cramped quarters are the fastest route to a stressed, non-feeding butterfly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plenty of mature live rock with crevices to pick at, plus open water in front of it to cruise. A well-established tank with some natural film and micro-life gives a new arrival something to graze on while it settles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore, and one of the easiest butterflies to convert to prepared foods. Feed a varied menu of meaty frozen fare and marine algae three times daily. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-angel-butterfly-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Angel \u0026amp; Butterfly Cube\u003c\/a\u003e is formulated for exactly this fish, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-frozen-formula-two\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Frozen Formula Two\u003c\/a\u003e covers the algae side. Clip a sheet of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tlf-seaveggies-purple-seaweed\"\u003eSeaVeggies Purple Seaweed\u003c\/a\u003e between feedings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater quality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Butterflies are sensitive to nitrate and swings. Keep nitrate low, alkalinity steady, and do consistent water changes. Check parameters with a kit from our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003ewater testing\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumbers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep one per tank unless you are adding a confirmed bonded pair. Two unpaired adults will fight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drip acclimate slowly and dim the lights for the first evening. Offer food the same day, a healthy Auriga usually eats within 24 hours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eAiptasia Control\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Auriga is one of the few fish that genuinely earns its keep against Aiptasia. It picks the pest anemones off rock work with real enthusiasm, and many reefers keep one in a FOWLR or lightly stocked mixed system specifically for that job. Treat this as a bonus rather than a guarantee, since individual fish vary in how aggressively they hunt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;width:38%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAuriga Butterflyfish, Threadfin Butterflyfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eChaetodon auriga\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eChaetodontidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax Adult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e9 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e125 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNo. Safe for FOWLR and fish-only systems.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8 to 12 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific and Red Sea reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is not a reef-safe fish.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Auriga will sample LPS, soft corals, zoanthids, clam mantles, feather dusters, and ornamental anemones. Keep it in a FOWLR or fish-only display, or accept the risk in a mixed system stocked only with SPS and leathers it tends to ignore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood tank mates\u003c\/strong\u003e are peaceful to semi-aggressive fish of similar size that will not bully it away from food:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/purple-tang-zebrasoma-xanthurum-saltwater\"\u003ePurple Tang (\u003cem\u003eZebrasoma xanthurum\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-throat-trigger-xanthichthys-auromarginatus-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Throat Trigger (\u003cem\u003eXanthichthys auromarginatus\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-wrasse-halichoeres-melanurus-saltwater\"\u003eNeon Wrasse (\u003cem\u003eHalichoeres melanurus\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-green-chromis-chromis-viridis-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Green Chromis (\u003cem\u003eChromis viridis\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yellowhead-jawfish-opistognathus-aurifrons-saltwater\"\u003eYellowhead Jawfish (\u003cem\u003eOpistognathus aurifrons\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e other butterflyfish in anything under a very large system, aggressive triggers and large angels that will outcompete it, and any tank built around prized LPS or clams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-angel-butterfly-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Angel \u0026amp; Butterfly Cube 3.5oz\u003c\/a\u003e, a frozen blend built for this family\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-marine-cuisine-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Marine Cuisine Cube 3.5oz\u003c\/a\u003e for meaty variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-frozen-formula-two\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Frozen Formula Two\u003c\/a\u003e, algae-forward frozen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tlf-seaveggies-purple-seaweed\"\u003eTwo Little Fishies SeaVeggies Purple Seaweed\u003c\/a\u003e for grazing between meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-marine-s\"\u003eHikari Marine-S\u003c\/a\u003e as a dry staple once it is settled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/boyd-vitachem-marine-liquid-vitamin-saltwater\"\u003eBoyd Vitachem Marine\u003c\/a\u003e to soak foods and support a new arrival\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the Auriga Butterflyfish reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo. It will pick at LPS, soft corals, zoanthids, clam mantles, and feather dusters. It is an excellent choice for a FOWLR or fish-only tank, not for a mixed reef you care about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it really eat Aiptasia?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nUsually, yes. The Auriga is one of the more reliable Aiptasia predators in the hobby and will work rock work over steadily. Results vary by individual, so treat it as a strong bonus rather than a guaranteed cure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good first butterflyfish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nIt is the best one to start with. Auriga are far hardier and far more willing to take prepared foods than obligate coral-polyp feeders like Copperbands or Ornate Butterflies. The real requirement is tank size and a mature system, not advanced skill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does mine not have the trailing dorsal thread?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nJuveniles have not grown it yet, and it lengthens with age. Separately, Red Sea specimens naturally lack the black eyespot on the rear dorsal fin that Indo-Pacific fish carry, so a missing spot is a regional trait rather than a problem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep two together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOnly as a confirmed bonded pair, and only in a very large system. Two unpaired adults will squabble persistently.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48113331110107,"sku":"1130002","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/IMG_7049_1500x1500_jpg.webp?v=1767876097","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/auriga-butterflyfish-chaetodon-auriga-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}