Saddleback Butterfly (Chaetodon Ephippium)
Also Known As: Saddle Butterflyfish, Blackback Butterflyfish
Compatibility and Behavior
The Saddleback Butterfly is a high-contrast beauty, pairing a tan and yellow body with a bold dark "saddle" across the back and a distinct black facial mask, and that contrast only sharpens as the fish matures and shows off under reef lighting. The tall, laterally compressed body and easy, graceful swimming style make it an elegant presence in a larger FOWLR or reef-inspired display. Temperament tends toward peaceful with dissimilar tankmates, and it does well alongside calm tangs, wrasses, and Anthias when introduced carefully, though it may get mildly territorial with other butterflies or similarly shaped fish in smaller systems or where rockwork is limited. As with the family generally, treat it as reef safe with caution: while foraging it may nip soft corals, LPS, zoanthids, and clam mantles, which makes it a better fit for a FOWLR or a carefully planned mixed reef than a prized coral system.
Aquarium Requirements
Give this one a mature tank with plenty of open swimming room and live rock to graze and shelter in. Small individuals around 1.5 to 2 inches make a practical start in a 75 to 90 gallon tank, while medium and large specimens do best in 100-plus gallon systems with strong filtration and a long footprint. Provide moderate, well-oxygenated flow, stable water quality, and structured rockwork with open lanes so it can cruise comfortably and slip away when startled. Diet is your best tool for easing pressure on corals: a varied menu of mysis, finely chopped seafood, quality marine pellets, and frozen omnivore blends keeps the fish in good condition and takes some of the edge off its interest in sessile inverts.
Specifications
Approximate Size: Sm: 1.5–2", Md: 2.5–3", Lg: 3–4"
Diet: Omnivore; mysis, finely chopped seafood, plus quality marine pellets and frozen blends
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Intermediate
Reef Safe: With caution
Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons for small specimens, with a larger system required as it grows
Special Considerations: Reef safe with caution, as it may nip soft corals, LPS, zoanthids, and clam mantles, so best in a FOWLR or coral-cautious setup; can be territorial toward other butterflyfish and similarly shaped fish
Pairs well with
Saddleback Butterfly (Chaetodon Ephippium)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.