Wrought Iron Butterflyfish (Chaetodon daedalma)

Discussion in 'iBluewater' started by iBluewater, Dec 24, 2014.

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  1. iBluewater

    iBluewater Senior Member (PhD)

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    Wrought Iron Butterflyfish

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    Chaetodon daedalma, commonly know as the Wrought Iron Butterflyfish is endemic to Japan, where they have been found in the south eastern and southern parts of the main island of Japan by the Sagami Bay area, the Izu Islands, out south east to the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, and further south to the Ryukyu Islands. They can be found at moderate depths of water of about 60 feet.

    They are peaceful and can be kept as singles, in pairs, or in groups of 3 to 5. We have observed playful behavior to be common in single specimen conditions as well as in group conditions.

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    We observed a group of three Wrought Irons playing like teenagers, taking turns to charge head on at each other, as if in a bull fight, but always stopping an inch or more from actual physical contact. None of this play appear to bear any aggression, nor does it appear to be attempts at establishing dominance.
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    While they generally grow to about 6 inches we have, on occassion, received specimens measuring 6.5 to 7inches, which is the case with the specimen pictured (please see photo below).
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    The Wrought Iron butterflyfish is named for the pronounced scale patterns very similiar to wrought iron designs.

    Although The Wrought Iron Butterflyfish has a very restricted range, being endemic only to Japan and a handful of her islands, they are in healthy numbers in the protected islands of Izu and Ogasawara.

    These are very active fish and voracious eaters. They have a preference for meaty foods and some algae based foods. In captivity they readily accept small 4mm sized chopped wild caught Salmon meat, Cod, and Tuna. Frozen enriched mysys are also received well.

    Generally, they are a moderately easy fish to keep, but require water quality to be maitained at good to excellent quality always.

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    trying it again and Corailline like this.
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  3. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    beautiful fish and well named :)
     
  4. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Thanks for the nice little write up.
     
  5. trying it again

    trying it again Fire Shrimp

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    Do they bother corals?? How much$$$
     
  6. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    It is a butterfly fish, however most of the people who have these fish have mature X,000 gallon tanks filled with corals, so that nipping would be hardly noticeable. And not that liveaquaria compares to iBluewater, but they typically run 2,000 for a 5-6" when they pop up on divers den. Some websites charge much more though.

    One of my favorite fish though, i love a "lack of color" on reef fish, since everything else is so brightly colored.

    Definitely enjoy checking in on iBluewater's stock, they get some of the coolest fish in.
     
    trying it again likes this.
  7. Ballgame

    Ballgame Millepora

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  9. floydie83

    floydie83 Flamingo Tongue

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    drum solo...awesome
     
    Ballgame likes this.