Teardrop butterflyfish (Chaetodon unimaculatus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Teardrop butterflyfish, One-spot butterflyfish
Family
Chaetodontidae (butterflyfishes)
Origin
Eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific from Christmas Island to Hawaii and the Marquesas; reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs at 1–60 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
20 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
350 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
no

Care

Relatively common in the trade. 350 litres is an estimate from its size; adults are often about 16 cm. Water figures given here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and a specific gravity of 1.023–1.026. Keep nitrate low and water quality stable. Usually in small groups, and most common in the wild where leather corals (Sarcophyton and Sinularia) grow. Mostly yellow with a black teardrop below the dorsal fin and black bars through the eye and at the tail base. The western Indian Ocean C. interruptus was once treated as a subspecies. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaetodonunimaculatus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats soft and hard corals, bristleworms, small crustaceans and filamentous algae. In captivity give mysis, chopped shellfish and algae-based foods several times daily.

Breeding

An egg-layer that forms monogamous pairs. Not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful with other fish. Not reef safe: it eats soft and hard corals.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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