Melon Butterflyfish EXPERT ONLY

Chaetodon trifasciatus

It is evident the Melon Butterflyfish Chaetodon trifasciatus draws attention wherever it goes, due to the number of names by which it is known. It is called the Indian Redfin Butterflyfish, Pinstriped Butterflyfish, Lineated Butterflyfish, and Purple Butterflyfish, among others. In nature, this Butterflyfish makes its home among coral reefs.

A rare and beautiful pale lavender colored fish, its body is flat and oval shaped and has darker purple diagonal stripes that stretch between its gills to its caudal fin. The anal fin is melon colored and that color also appears on the base of the caudal fin. A dark spot is visible on its upper body. There is a wide dark bar that travels from one side of its head to the opposite side, travelling through the eye area. Melon coloring is again visible as it radiates across its chest and part of its head.

A semi-aggressive fish, it enjoys live rock that provides hiding places and an aquarium with a lot of swimming area. It is possible to keep a male-female pair if they get along, but members of the same sex may fight.

This member of the Chaetodontidae family is not reef safe, as it feeds on coral polyps (especially SPS) and may nibble on Tridacna clams and anemones in the marine aquarium.