TankBud

Milletseed butterflyfish

Chaetodon miliaris

Also known as Lemon Butterflyfish, Millet Butterflyfish, Milletseed Coralfish

SaltwaterFish

Milletseed butterflyfish (Chaetodon miliaris)
NPS photo - Bryan Harry · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
5.1 in
13 cm
Minimum tank
75 gal
285 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Chaetodontidae
Origin
A Hawaiian endemic, abundant throughout the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll from shallow reefs to deep drop offs.

Overview

The milletseed butterflyfish is a peaceful schooling fish for a saltwater community tank. It is one of the best beginner butterflyfish.

Did you know

Milletseed butterflyfish have been recorded cleaning parasites from other fish. They have also been recorded picking eggs from nests.

Caring for the milletseed butterflyfish

Give milletseed butterflyfish a tank of at least 75 gal (285 L). They are reef safe with caution, as they feed mainly on plankton but may sample polyps and feather dusters.

They come from slightly cooler Hawaiian reefs, so keep them at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. They take mysis and enriched brine shrimp, and eventually flake and pellet.

Milletseed butterflyfish are peaceful and safe with community fish. Keep them in a group rather than singly.

Good to know

The milletseed butterflyfish, Chaetodon miliaris, is a member of the family Chaetodontidae. It is lemon yellow, marked with rows of small dark spots like scattered seeds. Its planktivorous habit makes it hardier and easier to feed than most butterflyfish.

In the wild

The milletseed butterflyfish is found almost only in Hawaiian waters, where it is the most common butterflyfish. It is abundant throughout the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll, from shallow reefs down to deep drop-offs. It often gathers in large feeding groups. It feeds heavily on zooplankton in open water, unlike many of its coral-picking relatives.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The milletseed butterflyfish is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a milletseed butterflyfish need?

A milletseed butterflyfish needs at least 75 gal (285 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a milletseed butterflyfish need?

A milletseed butterflyfish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a milletseed butterflyfish eat?

A milletseed butterflyfish takes mysis and enriched brine shrimp. In time it moves on to flake and pellet as well.

How big does a milletseed butterflyfish get?

An adult milletseed butterflyfish reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).

Does a milletseed butterflyfish need a group?

Yes. A milletseed butterflyfish is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Related species