Punctato Butterfly (Chaetodon Punctatofasciatus)

Punctato Butterfly
Also Known As: Spot-Banded Butterflyfish, Punctato Butterflyfish

Compatibility and Behavior
The Punctato Butterfly (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus) earns its "spot-banded" nickname with a look that mixes two patterns at once: delicate spotting overlaid on soft vertical striping across a pale, silvery body, all framed by a warm yellow dorsal and tail, a dark eye band, and a subtle ocellus near the back of the dorsal. It's a refined, medium-sized butterfly, and the tall, laterally compressed body with its constantly fanning fins gives it a smooth, gliding motion as it cruises the mid-water and works the rock surfaces. Temperament runs peaceful toward dissimilar tankmates, mixing well with calm tangs, fairy and flasher wrasses, and Anthias when introduced thoughtfully, though it can get mildly territorial with other butterflies or similarly shaped fish in smaller tanks, especially where grazing space is tight. Like the rest of the family, it's reef safe with caution: while foraging it may nip soft corals, LPS, zoanthids, and clam mantles, so it's a better fit for a FOWLR or a carefully planned reef where coral choices account for that grazing habit.

Aquarium Requirements
This butterfly wants a mature, spacious tank with a long footprint, open swimming lanes, and plenty of live rock to graze and shelter in. Small individuals in the 1.5 to 2 inch range make a solid start in a 75 to 90 gallon tank, while medium and large specimens are better suited to 100-plus gallon systems with strong, stable filtration. Aquascape for a balance of open water and structured rock zones where it can glide, explore, and retreat when startled, with moderate, well-oxygenated flow throughout. As with the other butterflies, diet is your best tool for protecting corals: keep it well nourished on a varied menu of mysis, finely chopped seafood, quality marine pellets, and frozen omnivore blends, and a well-fed fish puts far less pressure on the inverts around it.

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