Latticed Butterfly - Chaetodon rafflesii

Latticed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesii)

The Latticed Butterflyfish is a beautiful Indo-Pacific butterflyfish with a bright yellow body, fine cross-hatched lattice pattern, black eye bar and darker markings through the dorsal and tail areas. Also known as Raffles’ Butterflyfish or Raffles’ Coralfish, it is an elegant, active marine fish best suited to a mature fish-only or FOWLR-style aquarium. Although highly attractive, it is not a safe choice for coral reef aquariums, as it naturally feeds on coral polyps, anemones, worms and other reef invertebrates.

Common Name:
Latticed Butterflyfish. Also commonly referred to as Raffles’ Butterflyfish, Raffles’ Coralfish, Lattice Butterflyfish or Latticed Butterfly.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Chaetodon rafflesii

Maximum Size:
Around 15–18 cm, making it a medium-sized butterflyfish that needs a spacious aquarium with open swimming room.

Water Type:
Marine.

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found across the Indo-Pacific, from Sri Lanka and Indonesia through to southern Japan, Micronesia, French Polynesia and the Great Barrier Reef. In the wild it inhabits coral-rich lagoons, protected reef flats, sheltered inshore reefs and seaward reef areas, usually at shallow to moderate depths.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG

Temperament:
Generally peaceful to semi-aggressive. It is usually suitable with other peaceful marine fish, but may show territorial behaviour towards similar butterflyfish or closely related species, especially in smaller aquariums.

Diet:
Omnivorous / invertebrate feeder. In the wild it feeds on coral polyps, anemones, polychaete worms and other small benthic invertebrates. In the aquarium it should be offered a varied diet including frozen mysis, brineshrimp, krill, chopped clam, mussel, cockle, prawn, squid, specialist marine blends and quality marine pellets once accepted. New specimens may need small, frequent feeds while settling.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 450–500 litres for a single adult, with larger aquariums preferred due to its active swimming behaviour and feeding needs.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active reef-associated fish that spends much of the day swimming, browsing rockwork and investigating surfaces for small foods. In nature it may be found singly, in pairs or around coral-rich reef areas. In the aquarium it benefits from open swimming space, mature live rock, shaded retreats and a calm, low-stress community.

Reef Safe:
Not Reef Safe
This species is not recommended for reef aquariums. It may nip or eat hard corals, soft corals, zoanthids, anemones, tube worms, clam mantles and other sessile invertebrates. It is much better suited to fish-only marine aquariums or FOWLR systems where coral damage is not a concern.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, stable marine aquarium with excellent filtration, good oxygenation and plenty of live rock. Like many butterflyfish, it may be sensitive during import and can be slow to accept prepared foods, so careful acclimation, quarantine and varied feeding are important. Avoid adding it to brand-new marine systems, aggressive predator tanks or coral-heavy reef displays.

Suitable for:
Intermediate to experienced marine fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.