Is the Auriga Butterflyfish reef safe?

No. Auriga Butterflyfish are notorious for nipping at and eating soft corals, large polyp stony (LPS) corals, anemones, and ornamental tube worms. They are best kept in fish-only with live rock (FOWLR) aquariums.

How big does an Auriga Butterflyfish get?

In the wild, they can reach up to 23 cm (9 inches) in length. In home aquariums, they typically reach around 18-20 cm (7-8 inches).

Why is it called the Threadfin Butterflyfish?

As the fish matures, the upper rear section of its dorsal fin grows a long, trailing filament or 'thread', which is a signature characteristic of adult specimens.

Can I keep two Auriga Butterflyfish together?

It is generally not recommended unless they are a confirmed bonded pair or the aquarium is exceptionally large (over 1,000 litres). They can be highly territorial towards other butterflyfish.

What is the best food for an Auriga Butterflyfish?

They thrive on a varied diet of meaty marine foods like frozen mysis shrimp, fortified brine shrimp, and high-quality omnivore pellets, along with algae or spirulina-based foods. They also rely on grazing naturally on live rock.

MarineMarineIntermediate

Auriga Butterflyfish

Chaetodon auriga

A striking and iconic marine species known for its bold chevron patterns and trailing dorsal thread, highly active but not recommended for reef tanks.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 22 – 26 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.025 SG
Adult size: 18 – 23 cm
Adult minimum: 450 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 10 years
Diet: Omnivorous. Requires a varied diet of meaty marine foods like mysis shrimp, fortified brine shrimp, spirulina, and high-quality pellets. Will naturally graze on algae, tube worms, and coral polyps in the tank.
Water flow: Moderate to high
Preferred setup: Fish-only with live rock (FOWLR) strongly recommended, providing extensive open swimming space alongside plenty of mature live rock for foraging and hiding.

About the Auriga Butterflyfish

The Auriga Butterflyfish, widely known as the Threadfin Butterflyfish, is one of the most recognisable and popular members of the Chaetodontidae family. Its vibrant white and yellow body, adorned with distinctive chevron stripes and an eye-catching false eyespot, makes it a stunning centrepiece for a marine aquarium. This species is favoured by intermediate marine aquarists due to its relatively hardy nature compared to other butterflyfish.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Auriga Butterflyfish against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Auriga Butterflyfish comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Great Barrier Reef

Countries / regions

Egypt, Indonesia, Australia, Japan, United States

Habitat

Inhabits coral-rich seaward reefs, shallow lagoons, and reef flats where they graze on anemones, polyps, and algae.

One of the most widespread butterflyfishes, found from the Red Sea to Hawaii and the Marquesas Islands.

Similar species

Raccoon Butterflyfish
Chaetodon lunula
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Chaetodon ephippium
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Chaetodon vagabundus

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Peaceful, occupies a different territory, and is completely unbothered by the butterflyfish's grazing habits.
Great
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Both are active grazers but belong to different families, reducing territorial disputes as long as the tank is large enough.
Great
Soft Corals and LPS
Auriga Butterflyfish are notorious for nipping at and eating soft coral polyps and large polyp stony (LPS) corals.
Compatible with caution
Other Butterflyfish
Chaetodontidae
Can be highly territorial towards other butterflyfish, especially conspecifics, unless introduced as a bonded pair.
Compatible with caution
Feather Duster Worms
Sabellidae
Ornamental tube worms and feather dusters are a natural food source for the Auriga and will be quickly eaten.
Not recommended

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