Sunburst Butterflyfish

Sunburst Butterflyfish

The Sunburst Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii), commonly called Klein's butterflyfish, is one of the hardiest and most adaptable members of its family — a warm golden-brown disc-shaped fish with subtle darker bands and a black eye-stripe. Unlike many butterflyfish that depend on living coral, it is a flexible omnivore that takes readily to aquarium foods, making it one of the better choices for keepers wanting to try a butterflyfish.

It is also among the more reef-tolerant butterflyfish, though, like all of its kind, it is not without risk in a coral system.

Natural Habitat & Origin

Chaetodon kleinii is widespread across the Indo-Pacific, where it lives on coral and rocky reefs, feeding on zooplankton, algae and soft coral polyps. It is often seen in pairs or small groups, ranging over the reef as it forages.

In the aquarium it appreciates plenty of live rock for grazing and shelter, in a calm community.

Care Requirements

Maintain stable marine conditions: salinity around 1.024–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, and a temperature of about 24–26°C (75–79°F). Reaching about 14 cm (5.5 inches), it suits a tank of around 280 litres (about 75 US gallons) or more with ample rockwork. It is hardier and more adaptable than most butterflyfish and usually settles well into a mature system.

Diet & Feeding

The Sunburst Butterflyfish is a flexible omnivore, feeding on zooplankton, algae and soft coral polyps in the wild. It adapts well to captivity: offer a varied diet of frozen mysis and brine shrimp, marine preparations and foods with marine algae content. Feed several small meals a day; its willingness to take prepared foods is a big part of its appeal.

Behavior & Temperament

It is a peaceful, active fish that mixes well in a calm community and can be kept singly or as a pair. It rarely troubles other fish and spends much of its time foraging over the rockwork. Avoid housing it with aggressive species that will outcompete it or keep it hidden.

Tank Mates

Good companions are other peaceful marine fish — tangs, peaceful wrasses, anthias, cardinalfish and similar. In a reef it is relatively well behaved for a butterflyfish, but because it does eat soft coral polyps and may nip other corals, it is best described as reef-safe with caution, and is safest with hardy corals or in fish-focused systems.

Breeding

Chaetodon kleinii is a pelagic spawner with planktonic larvae and is not bred in the home aquarium. Trade specimens are wild-collected.

Common Health Issues

The Sunburst Butterflyfish is among the hardier butterflyfish but, like all marine fish, is susceptible to marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) and marine velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum), particularly when stressed or newly imported. Quarantine new arrivals, keep water quality stable, and offer a varied diet. Given a peaceful tank and a mature system, it is one of the most approachable and dependable butterflyfish for an intermediate keeper.