Latticed Butterflyfish, also known as Raffles’ Coralfish, is a type of marine fish in the butterflyfish family. It lives in the Indo-Pacific region.
This uncommon fish is found in areas with lots of coral growth, like lagoons and protected reefs.
It usually swims in pairs and eats sea anemones, polychaetes (worms), and coral polyps.
In captivity, it’s important to feed this fish a diet consisting of algae stones and “feeding stones” made by spreading food pulp on a stone.
This species isn’t reef-safe.
Latticed Butterflyfish Interesting Facts
- Latticed butterflyfish are native to the Indo-Pacific region and are found in coral-rich areas like lagoons and protected reefs.
- They typically swim in pairs and have a diet consisting of sea anemones, worms (polychaetes), and coral polyps.
- In captivity, they require algae stones and “feeding stones” for proper nutrition.
- These fish are not reef-safe.
Latticed Butterflyfish Habitat
Latticed butterflyfish, scientifically known as Chaetodon rafflesii, is a type of fish found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Its habitat stretches from Sri Lanka to the Tuamoto Islands, reaching as far north as southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef.
This fish can also be found around Palau and the eastern Caroline Islands in Micronesia.
Latticed butterflyfish lives in brackish water near reefs and can be found at depths of 1 to 15 meters.
It thrives in tropical climates located between 32°N to 31°S latitude and 77°E to 130°W longitude.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Latticed Butterflyfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 5.9 inches (15.0 centimeters)
Latticed butterflyfish can reach a maximum length of 7.09 inches (18.0 centimeters) and a common length of 5.9 inches (15.0 centimeters).
It has 12 to 13 dorsal spines, 21 to 23 soft rays on the dorsal fin, 3 anal spines, and 18 to 20 soft rays on the anal fin.
Its body is yellow with a crisscross pattern on its sides. Sometimes there’s a black spot under the top fin. There’s also a black stripe across its eye.
The fins have dark stripes that change position as the fish ages.
The snout-to-head ratio is between 2.1 to 2.6, while the body depth-to-length ratio ranges from 1.4 to 1.8.
Latticed Butterflyfish Reproduction
Latticed butterflyfish lays eggs and forms unique pairs while breeding.
Latticed Butterflyfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Chaetodontidae |
| Genus: | Chaetodon |
| Scientific Name: | Chaetodon rafflesii |
| Also Known As: | Latticed Butterflyfish, Raffles’ coralfish |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |