Red Tail Butterfly Fish

Red Tail Butterfly Fish

Description of the Red Tail Butterfly Fish
The Red Tail Butterfly Fish is also known as the Pakistani Butterflyfish, Brown Butterflyfish and Collared Butterflyfish.  It is brown to black in color with the lighter scales giving the fish a spotted appearance. The tail is red with a black stripe at the end and a white band behind the eyes. The redtail butterfly can be aggressive to other butterfly fish, it is advisable to place a single fish or a pair together to avoid aggressive behaviour.

Profile of the Red Tail Butterfly Fish
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Red Tail Butterfly Fish species.

• Size: Up to 15cm

• Fish Tank conditions: 23-26 Degrees. PH 8.3-8.4

• Diet / Feeding: Dried, Flake, Frozen or live food such as Brine Shrimp

• Temperament: Can act aggressively to other Butterfly Fish

• Habitat: Marine waters, depths of up to 15m

• Range: Indo-Pacific

Scientific Classification of the Red Tail Butterfly Fish
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Chaetodon collare

• Popular Name: Redtailed Butterflyfish - Red Tail Butterfly Fish - Brown Butterflyfish - Collared Butterflyfish

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Perciformes

• Family: Chaetodontidae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Red Tail Butterfly Fish?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Red Tail Butterfly Fish slimy?
Red Tail Butterfly Fish secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Red Tail Butterfly Fish to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Red Tail Butterfly Fish have gills?
Gills enable the Red Tail Butterfly Fish to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Red Tail Butterfly Fish have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Red Tail Butterfly Fish has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Red Tail Butterfly Fish has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Red Tail Butterfly Fish has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Red Tail Butterfly Fish has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Red Tail Butterfly Fish