BUTTERFLYFISHES

About Butterflyfishes

Class: Actinopterygii (Greek aktis = ray, thunderbolt, beam + Greek pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin.)

Order: Perciformes (Greek, perke = perch + Latin, forma = shape)

Family:Chaetodontidae (Greek, chaite = hair + Greek, odous, odontos = tooth, teeth)
Genera: Amphichaetodon, Chaetodon, Chaetodontops, Chelmon, Chelmonops, Coradion, Forcipiger, Hemitaurichthys, Heniochus, Johnrandallia, Parachaetodon, Peterscottia, Prognathodes, Roa

These are some of the most loved fishes in the hobby and, for the most part, rightfully so. While the majority of butterflyfishes should be left in the wild, a few do make excellent aquarium specimens based on their striking appearance and adaptability to captive environments. These select species ship well, are generally hardy and will remain a staple in the hobby for years to come.