Orange Nose Butterfly

Description

Chaetodon flavirostris has a laterally compressed, disc-shaped body. Its body is predominantly white with bold black bands running vertically across the eye and mid-body, contrasted by an orange snout and yellow posterior dorsal and anal fins. The eyes are accented by a subtle black stripe, which helps reduce glare and offers camouflage among coral branches.

Adults reach a maximum size of 18 cm (7 inches) and exhibit elegant swimming behavior, hovering near branching corals while grazing on polyps and small invertebrates.

Aquarium Requirements

Minimum Tank Size: 450–600 litres (120–160 US gallons)

Temperature: 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)

pH: 8.1–8.4

Specific Gravity (Salinity): 1.020–1.025

Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm

Nitrate: < 10 ppm

Aquascape and Environment:
A mature reef aquarium with extensive live rock and branching corals is essential. Provide open swimming areas and moderate water flow. Fragile corals should be well-secured as this species may graze actively on coral polyps. A reef with a mix of hard and soft corals allows it to display natural foraging behavior while minimizing coral stress.

Diet and Feeding

Chaetodon flavirostris is primarily a corallivore, feeding on coral polyps in the wild, but it can adapt to prepared foods in captivity over time. A varied diet is essential to maintain health and coloration.

Recommended Foods:

• Frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood

• Coral-feeding butterflyfish preparations (high-quality carnivore flakes/pellets enriched with vitamins)

• Occasional live foods such as copepods or amphipods

• Supplement with sponge-based or algae-based foods to diversify nutrition

Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions, targeting food near the live rock and coral structures to encourage natural grazing behavior.

Temperament and Compatibility

The Orange Nose Butterflyfish is peaceful but shy, generally non-aggressive toward other species but territorial toward conspecifics. It is best kept singly or in pairs in very large aquariums to reduce stress and competition.

Suitable Tankmates:

• Peaceful reef fish such as gobies, anthias, tangs, and wrasses

• Small invertebrates like shrimp and snails

Avoid:

• Aggressive or fast-feeding fish that outcompete it for food

• Housing multiple individuals in small tanks

Reef Compatibility

⚠️ Moderately Reef Safe

While Chaetodon flavirostris can coexist with other reef organisms, it is a corallivore and will feed on small coral polyps. It is best suited for FOWLR systems or mixed coral tanks with hardy corals that can tolerate occasional grazing.

Additional Information

Maximum Size: 18 cm (7 inches)
Lifespan: 8–10 years in captivity
Difficulty Level: Advanced (requires mature reef or FOWLR tank and specialized diet)
Natural Behaviour: Coral-feeding, hovering near reef structures, cautious yet elegant swimmer
Origin: Indo-Pacific – Great Barrier Reef, Indonesia, Philippines, Micronesia
Colouration: White body with black vertical bands, orange snout, yellow dorsal/anal fins, subtle eye stripe

Summary

The Orange Nose Butterflyfish (Chaetodon flavirostris) is a visually striking, coral-feeding species prized for its bold coloration and elegant swimming. Peaceful yet delicate, it thrives in mature aquariums with abundant live rock and coral structures. Ideal for advanced hobbyists, it adds midwater grace, color, and natural coral-grazing behavior to large reef or FOWLR displays.