Yellow Teardrop Butterflyfish

Yellow Teardrop Butterflyfish

The Yellow Teardrop Butterflyfish (Chaetodon interruptus) is the Indian Ocean's bright, golden counterpart to the Pacific teardrop butterflyfish — a clean yellow body with a black eye-band and a single bold black "teardrop" spot high on the flank. Handsome and reasonably hardy for a butterflyfish, it is a popular choice for the experienced marine keeper, though, like most of its family, it has a varied diet that includes some coral and so calls for caution in a reef.

Its simple, striking colours make it an attractive centrepiece in a fish-focused or carefully chosen reef system.

Natural Habitat & Origin

Chaetodon interruptus is found in the Indian Ocean, where it lives on coral-rich reefs, often in pairs, feeding on a mix of coral polyps, small invertebrates and algae. It ranges 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 12 cm (5 inches), it suits a tank of around 280 litres (about 75 US gallons) or more with ample rockwork. A mature, stable system and a peaceful environment suit this fish best.

Diet & Feeding

The Yellow Teardrop Butterflyfish is an omnivore, feeding in the wild on coral polyps, small invertebrates and algae. Establishing it on prepared foods is the main task: offer a varied diet of frozen mysis and brine shrimp, marine preparations and foods with marine algae content, fed frequently, and lean on a mature, microfauna-rich tank during acclimation. Feed several small meals a day to keep it in good condition.

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, treat it with caution: because it eats some coral polyps and may nip invertebrates, it is best described as reef-safe with caution, and is safest with hardy corals or in fish-focused systems.

Breeding

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

Common Health Issues

The Yellow Teardrop Butterflyfish is moderately hardy for a 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, offer a varied diet, and choose a feeding specimen. Given a peaceful tank and a mature system, it is an attractive and rewarding butterflyfish for an experienced keeper.