Yellowhead Butterflyfish (Chaetodon xanthocephalus)

Chaetodon xanthocephalus is a handsome Indian Ocean endemic found across the Maldives, Seychelles, and East African coast, featuring a pale body with delicate chevron scale markings crowned by a bold bright yellow head and matching yellow fins. One of the more adaptable butterflyfish in terms of accepting prepared foods, making it a more realistic option for experienced reef keepers than many of its obligate coral-feeding relatives. Best kept in a large, well-established FOWLR or reef system.

Provide a minimum 350 L large, well-established aquarium with extensive live rock. Target feed varied meaty foods including frozen mysis, brine shrimp, clams, and finely chopped seafood 2–3 times daily. Acclimate to prepared foods gradually using live rock with invertebrates as a transitional food source. Maintain temperature 24–27°C, SG 1.020–1.025. Not reef safe with coral polyps — suitable for FOWLR only. Keep only one per system.