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Identification, Some
Systematics:
Mmm; the Milletseed is a Butterflyfish, family Chaetodontidae; one of
one hundred twenty nine valid species arrayed in twelve genera
(currently; according to Fishbase.org). Chaetodon miliaris is one of
four endemic (found nowhere else) butterflies, of about twenty five
total found in the Hawaiian Islands; but amongst the entire family it is
unmistakable. With a black band through the head and eye, prominent dark
spot on the caudal peduncle (that part of the body right before the tail
fin), pleasing warm yellow body and tail color speckled with vertical
rows of stippling dots (the millet seeds thus named).
Behavior:
Like all Butterflyfishes the lau wiliwili (Hawaiian name; lauhau for
many Butterflyfishes there, and shaped like and the color of the fallen
leaves of the wiliwili tree) spends all daylight hours scrounging about
midwater and near the bottom for food. This species is a generalized
zooplanktivore, but it will pick out small mollusks, worms and more from
substrate and amongst stony corals. This fish is NOT a corallivore
however; and unless really starved does not ingest live coral polyps for
nutrition.
During evenings the Milletseed hunkers down hiding under cover of rock
caves and overhangs, doing its best to avoid predators; remember, Hawaii
is the “land of the puhi” (eel), with Morays making up more than half
reef fish biomass.
Oh, and as young up to mid-size, the Milletseed is a facultative
(non-obligate) cleaner of parasites off other fishes; even picking at
turtles cruising by. Compatibility:
C. miliaris gets along with all other than small food organisms; the
reverse cannot be stated however. The usual suspects: large basses, big
wrasses, over-size angels, the larger puffers and triggers, aggressive
tangs and territorial damsels… can work them woe. Best to introduce this
and all other Butterflyfishes in advance of any questionable tankmates;
to give them time to adjust, learn the “lay of the tank”.
In hobbyist sized systems; best to keep just one specimen to a tank; but
if trying two, or more in a system of hundreds of gallons, introduce all
at the same time to reduce the chance of territoriality. Selection:
Careful observation of Butterflies includes close inspection of the
body, especially the mouth. Chaetodontids mis-shipped in too small a bag
with too little water, often suffer from rubbing their faces; damaging
their mouth. Such damage often spells doom for the fish, negating
feeding behavior, leading to decline and death.
Beyond snapshot looking, you should spend some time watching the
interpersonal and feeding behavior of a specimen you’re interested in
acquiring. Make sure the animal is outgoing and seeking, accepting the
types of foods you’ll be offering.
System:
Like all Butterflyfishes, the Milletseed needs space; to forage, move
about, and to feel secure. I would NOT place a Chaetodontid in anything
smaller than a five foot long, one hundred gallon system.
Where do they live? On and above the reef; so they need reef-like water
conditions. A paucity of accumulated metabolite (less than 10 ppm NO3
e.g.), high dissolved oxygen (from vigorous skimming perhaps), complete
and brisk water movement (ten-twenty times turnover per hour); high and
stable pH and alkalinity… Foods/Feeding/Nutrition:
The very best arrangement for supplying zooplanktivores in captivity is
having a large, vigorous tied in living sump; yes, a refugium; with a
big and deep sand bed of fine carbonaceous sand, culture of macro-algae,
and if possible, on a reverse daylight photoperiod (RDP) arrangement.
Barring this, providing minced or whole/small meaty sea life (e.g.
Mysis, Copepods…) a few times daily will keep your Butterfly in good
stead. Soaking such food in a vitamin, HUFA, pro-biotic supplement once
or twice a week will go a long way to sustaining health and color.
Disease/Health:
Butterflyfishes as a group are notoriously touchy; often being the first
to show signs and perish when environment degrades or pathogenic disease
appears. The Milletseed is on the far positive side of this scale at
least; and you can usually count on observing it for evidence (lack of
feeding, reddening near fin spine origins, heavy breathing; shyness…)
for the beginning of trouble.
Improving environment and nutrition are the best means of assuring
health; but the use of quinine compounds (Chloroquine Phosphate a fave)
is of use in curtailing most Protozoan complaints. Reproduction:
This species is oviparous (egg laying), egg-scatterer; pelagic spawner
with young developing as plankton; form temporary pairs seasonally. As
far as I’m aware, it has not been spawned, reared in captivity.
Cloze:
The Milletseed is Hawaii’s most common Butterflyfish, and though it’s
not widely used in the hobby, it is a superlative captive species;
hardy, beautiful and despite its little pointed mouth, a good shipper
and eater of a wide range of readily available foods. If you’re shopping
for a good mid-sized fish for a peaceful fish only, fish only with
invertebrate, or full blown reef set up; I strongly urge you to consider
Chaetodon miliaris. For folks angling for a Hawaiian biotope, for sure
I’d include this species.
Fishbase points to this species high resilience, with a doubling
rate/time of some fifteen months; the Lemon Butterfly is not only
aquarium desirable, but plentiful in the wild.
Some verticals for your consideration:
Bibliography/Further Reading:
http://www.fishbase.org/summary/FamilySummary.php?ID=343;
Family Chaetodontidae on Fishbase.org
http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2014/05/WHI_Aquarium_Background.pdf
,
http://www.waikikiaquarium.org/experience/animal-guide/fishes/butterflyfishes/milletseed-butterflyfish/
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