Vagabond Butterfly (Chaetodon Vagabundus)
Also Known As: Vagabond Butterflyfish, Wanderer Butterflyfish
Compatibility and Behavior
The name fits the fish: the Vagabond is one of the bolder, more active butterflies, a restless wanderer that cruises the tank rather than hanging shyly around one patch of rock. That confidence is a real point in its favor, since plenty of butterflies sulk when they first go in, and it comes wrapped in crisp, high-contrast looks, a clean white body crossed by dramatic black vertical bands with a soft yellow wash over the rear half. Carried on the tall, gliding frame typical of the family, it makes a striking centerpiece for a larger FOWLR or reef-inspired display. Despite the boldness it's peaceful toward dissimilar tankmates, settling in with calm tangs, wrasses, and Anthias, and only turning mildly territorial toward other butterflies or lookalikes in tighter systems. On corals it's a middle-of-the-road member of the family, so the usual reef safe with caution holds: it may nip soft corals, LPS, zoanthids, and clam mantles while foraging, making it a comfortable FOWLR fish and a calculated risk in a mixed reef.
Aquarium Requirements
Care is standard butterfly fare, so nothing here breaks new ground if you've kept one before. A mature tank with plenty of live rock, open swimming lanes, and stable water is the foundation, with small individuals starting around 75 to 90 gallons and medium fish wanting 100-plus and a long footprint, all backed by moderate flow and strong filtration. Given how active this one is, lean toward the roomier end of those numbers, since a bold cruiser makes fuller use of open water than a shy species does. Keep it well conditioned on frequent feedings of mysis, finely chopped seafood, quality marine pellets, and frozen omnivore blends.
Specifications
Approximate Size: Sm: 1.5–2", Md: 2.5–3"
Diet: Omnivore; mysis, 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; an active swimmer that appreciates open room; can be territorial toward other butterflyfish and similarly shaped fish
Pairs well with
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.