{"product_id":"vagabond-butterflyfish-chaetodon-vagabundus-saltwater","title":"Vagabond Butterflyfish (Chaetodon vagabundus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\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\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eVagabond Butterflyfish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eChaetodon vagabundus\u003c\/em\u003e) is the butterflyfish we point people to when they want the classic butterfly look without the classic butterfly heartbreak. A bright white body is crossed by fine diagonal lines that meet in a chevron, a bold black bar runs through the eye, and the back half of the fish glows yellow with a black band sweeping through the rear fins and tail. Where many butterflies are picky eaters, the Vagabond usually takes frozen and prepared foods quickly and holds up well once settled. The catch is its appetite for invertebrates: it picks at corals and anemones, so it shines in a fish-only or fish with live rock system. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e and our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efish selection\u003c\/a\u003e to plan the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\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 or larger for an adult. It grows to around 7 to 9 inches and spends the whole day cruising the open water and rockwork.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest setup:\u003c\/strong\u003e a fish-only or fish with live rock tank. Plenty of mature rock gives it something to pick at between meals and keeps it relaxed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025. Keep nitrate low and oxygen high with good surface agitation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore. Feed small portions two to three times a day, rotating meaty frozen foods like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-angel-butterfly-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Angel \u0026amp; Butterfly Cube\u003c\/a\u003e and mysis with marine algae. A frozen clam on the half shell is a great way to get a new arrival eating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne butterfly per tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vagabonds are territorial toward other butterflyfish. Mated pairs happen in the wild, but in a home tank plan on one unless the system is very large and both fish go in together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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%;max-width:640px;\"\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 vagabundus\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\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eVagabond Butterflyfish, Crisscross Butterflyfish\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;\"\u003eFiji, South Pacific\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, territorial toward other butterflyfish\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, eats coral polyps and anemones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e7 to 9 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\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\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\u003eSalinity\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\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\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\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\u003eNot reef safe.\u003c\/strong\u003e Like most butterflyfish, the Vagabond grazes on coral polyps, zoanthids, soft corals, anemones, feather dusters, and clam mantles. That same habit makes it a well known aiptasia eater, so it can clean up a pest anemone problem in a fish-only tank. Cleanup crew snails and hermit crabs are generally left alone, but small ornamental shrimp and tube worms are at risk. If you need aiptasia control inside a reef, a targeted treatment like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/joes-juice-aiptasia-20ml\"\u003eJoe's Juice\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/peppermint-shrimp-lysmata-sp-saltwater\"\u003ePeppermint Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e is the safer route.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith other fish it is an easy, even-tempered neighbor. Good tank mates include the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yellow-foxface-siganus-vulpinus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eYellow Foxface\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scopas-tang-zebrasoma-scopas-saltwater\"\u003eScopas Tang\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/coral-beauty-angelfish-centropyge-bispinosa-saltwater\"\u003eCoral Beauty Angelfish\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-green-chromis-chromis-viridis-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Green Chromis\u003c\/a\u003e. Skip fin nippers and aggressive triggers, and avoid adding a second butterfly such as our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/auriga-butterflyfish-chaetodon-auriga-saltwater\"\u003eAuriga Butterflyfish\u003c\/a\u003e unless the tank is very large and both go in at the same time.\u003c\/p\u003e\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\u003c\/a\u003e, a frozen blend made for this group of fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e for the meaty part of the rotation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-clam-on-a-half-shell\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Frozen Clam on a Half Shell\u003c\/a\u003e, a proven way to start a butterflyfish eating\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-nori-seaweed-sheets-20g\"\u003eBRS Nori Seaweed Sheets\u003c\/a\u003e on a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/two-little-fishies-veggiemag-magnetic-seaweed-clip\"\u003eVeggieMag Seaweed Clip\u003c\/a\u003e for grazing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/selcon-vitamin-fish-food-supplement-60ml\"\u003eSelcon Vitamin Booster\u003c\/a\u003e to soak frozen foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/innovative-marine-accudrip-drip-acclimator\"\u003eInnovative Marine AccuDrip Acclimator\u003c\/a\u003e for a slow, low-stress introduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I put it in my reef tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe do not recommend it. Some hobbyists get away with a Vagabond among hardy SPS for a while, but it will eventually sample most corals, zoanthids, and anemones. Plan on a fish-only or fish with live rock tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it eat aiptasia?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery often, yes, and that is one reason people keep them. Just remember it does not stop at aiptasia, so it is an answer for fish-only tanks, not reefs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it a good first butterflyfish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is one of the better ones. Vagabonds tend to accept frozen foods quickly and handle normal tank life well, where many butterflies refuse food or need pristine conditions. A mature, stable tank still matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAround 7 to 9 inches as an adult. It starts smaller, so size the tank for where it is going, not where it is today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep two?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnly in a large system with both fish added together. Two butterflies added at different times usually fight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48113331634395,"sku":"1130932","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/lg68962VagabondButterflyfish.jpg?v=1767876265","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vagabond-butterflyfish-chaetodon-vagabundus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}