Pearlscale Butterfly Fish
The mertensii butterflyfish is a great example of a lookalike.
Pearlscale butterfly fish. Suitable for aquarium suitable with care. The hind parts are orangey yellow the base of the caudal fin is white. The pearlscale butterflyfish is distinguished by a white rimmed dark oval spot located slightly askew behind the eye band.
The pearlscale butterflyfish is distinguished by a white rimmed dark oval spot located slightly askew behind the eye band. Reef safe not reef safe. They are very hardy and peaceful and can be kept with other peaceful fish but may become aggressive towards other butterflies with a similar pattern or coloration in smaller.
The pearlscale butterflyfish is part of the xanthurus complex consisting of lookalike species with a similar lattice pattern. Pearlscale butterflyfish family chaetodontidae chaetodon origin australia japan indonesia central west pacific max length 14 cm 5 5 as aquarium fish minimum volume 300 cm 79 gal hardiness average. The pearlscale butterfly chaetodon xanthurus has pearly white scales with black edges that give it a cross hatched or netted pattern with accents of a black eye bar and bright orange or yellow on the rear and tail.
It s moderate in size at about 5 1 2 inches 14 cm in length but has an eye catching color pattern. The pearlscale butterflyfish chaetodon xanthurus is a very pretty fish. The pearlscale butterflyfish is part of the xanthurus complex consisting of lookalike species with similar latticed pattern.
Its body has black edged pearly scales that give it a cross hatched or netted pattern overall.
