Vagabond Butterflyfish (Chaetodon vagabundus)
The Vagabond Butterflyfish is an attractive and active marine butterflyfish recognised for its pale body covered with fine diagonal striping, bold dark facial band and contrasting yellow and black markings towards the rear of the body. Hardy once established and generally more adaptable than many specialist butterflyfish, it can make an impressive addition to spacious marine aquariums. However, its natural feeding behaviour includes coral polyps and other reef organisms, so it is not considered reliably reef safe.
Common Name
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Scientific Name (Latin)
Chaetodon vagabundus
Maximum Size
| Size | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Size | Not specified in product description |
FAQ
Is the Vagabond Butterflyfish suitable for a reef aquarium?
No, the Vagabond Butterflyfish is not considered reliably reef safe due to its natural feeding behaviour that includes coral polyps and other reef organisms.
What are the key visual features of the Vagabond Butterflyfish?
It has a pale body with fine diagonal striping, a bold dark facial band, and contrasting yellow and black markings towards the rear of the body.
How easy is it to keep in a marine aquarium?
Once established, it is considered hardy and more adaptable than many specialist butterflyfish, making it suitable for spacious marine aquariums.
Oliver Walker –
The fish is visually striking with its unique striping and facial markings. It’s active and adds a lot of interest to the tank. I’ve had it for six months and it’s healthy, though I did notice it occasionally nipping at coral polyps. Not ideal for a strict reef setup, but great for a mixed-species tank with plenty of space.
Sebastian Piper –
Looks beautiful in the tank. The fish is calm and moves around a lot. I’m not surprised it’s not reef-safe—there’s no way to fully prevent it from eating coral. Still, it’s a great centerpiece for a larger marine aquarium.
Connor Lawrence –
A stunning addition to my tank. The coloration is vibrant and the fish is very active. I expected it to be more aggressive, but it’s actually quite peaceful. Just make sure you have plenty of live rock and avoid placing it near delicate corals.