| The blue spot butterflyfish or Chaetodon plebius is | | | | ignore the highest quality marine reef foods. It is |
| a member of the family Chaetodontidae. They | | | | even argued whether this fish is severely |
| are indigenous to the coral reef systems found in | | | | traumatized by its abrupt transition or if it simply |
| the shallower regions of the Indo-Pacific. | | | | does not recognize a foreign source of nutrition. |
| This fish has a bright yellow disk shaped body | | | | Many conscientious aquarists will avoid this species |
| with slightly darker horizontal markings and a | | | | altogether as a suitable fish for their aquarium. |
| patch of sky blue on the upper mid-section of its | | | | If you wish to attempt to raise one it is highly |
| body. It has a single vertical stripe that runs down | | | | recommended that you do not purchase one |
| through its eyes toward the lower part of its | | | | online unless it comes with a guarantee that it is |
| body. It also has an "eye spot" where the caudal | | | | feeding in captivity. If you buy one locally ask that |
| attaches to its body. This eye-spot is meant to | | | | you be allowed to watch it eat to insure that it |
| confuse predators. Its real eye is almost | | | | has acclimated to aquarium life before taking it |
| camouflaged in the vertical stripe. The blue spot | | | | home. They have been reported to function just |
| will grow to a length of approximately six inches | | | | fine in their new environment once they start |
| long. | | | | eating. In nature these fish are typically found in |
| The blue spot butterflyfish is commonly referred | | | | pairs. You might want to take this into |
| to as blue-blotch butterflyfish or the coral | | | | consideration at the time of purchase. |
| butterflyfish. The latter name references its | | | | A feeding blue spot makes a wonderful addition |
| dietary habits in the wild. | | | | to a community tank. They are a non-aggressive, |
| The blue spot diet consists primarily of coral | | | | striking beautiful species that mixes well with fish |
| polyps from the Acropora species which flourish in | | | | of similar temperament. A minimum tank size of |
| the shallow water eco-systems native to the blue | | | | 75 gallons will suffice. If you are a reef tank |
| spot habitat. This fish has also been known to | | | | owner bear in mind that they may learn to eat |
| function as a cleaning fish ingesting parasites off | | | | your coral as a suitable substitute for their dietary |
| of other fish. But it is its specialized dietary | | | | needs. These are mid-water to bottom swimmers |
| requirements that have sparked controversy | | | | in an aquarium setting. |
| among ecologists and aquarists around the world. | | | | There is no lifespan information available on this |
| In fact, whether or not it is even fair to take an | | | | specific species, but the family of fish collectively |
| animal with such specialized nutritional needs and | | | | referred to as butterflyfish has an average life |
| radically change its diet to transition it into a life of | | | | expectancy of five to seven years. |
| captivity is a subject of heated debate. This fish is | | | | Blue spots are carnivorous. In captivity they can |
| notorious for refusing to eat once it has been | | | | be fed vitamin enriched brine shrimp, protein |
| removed from its natural habitat. It will very | | | | based marine fish food or finely chopped fresh |
| often succumb to malnutrition resulting in its | | | | seafood such as shrimp or squid. |
| eventual death. It has been known to completely | | | | |