Chaetodon larvatus (Masked papillon fish)

Triangular body, tricolor (yellow head, striped white-blue and black tail). Species very difficult to maintain because of its diet (coral polyps and planktonal organisms). Can become aggressive towards other pepillons fish and its congeners in a cramped bin.

Chaetodon Larvatus is a fish from the family of Chaetodontidae, commonly known as Larvae Papillon fish. It is from the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The Larvatus chaetodon is a colorful and lively fish, with vibrant dorsal and anal fins which give it the appearance of a butterfly in flight. Her dress is mainly blue with black and white strips along her body. Its pectoral and ventral fins are white, with black spots on the ends.

The Larvatus chaetodon is about 15 cm long and weighs approximately 150 g. It is a gregarious fish, that is to say that it lives in a group, and it tends to feed itself in benches. Chaetodon Larvatus feeds mainly on plankton, but it can also eat molluscs, crustaceans and algae.

Chaetodon Larvatus is a gregarious fish, that is to say it lives in a group. Males tend to be more aggressive than females, and they often fight with each other to determine who will be the dominant of the group. The females lay their eggs on the corals or on the rocks, and the males fertilize them. The fry is then protected by the parents until they are large enough to defend themselves.

The Larvatus chaetodon is a fish much appreciated by the aquariophiles because of its beauty and its lively personality. However, it is important to keep it in an appropriate aquarium and provide it with a balanced diet to avoid health problems. As it is from tropical waters, it needs a stable and hot water temperature, as well as adequate lighting to simulate the conditions of its natural habitat.