Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, and sourcing intelligence on Falcula Butterflyfish - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team.
Falcula Butterflyfish at a glance
Adult size: 8 inches · Min tank/pond: 125 gallons · Difficulty: expert · Diet: carnivore · Lifespan: 5-10 years.
Falcula Butterflyfish (Chaetodon falcula) is a popular saltwater fish in the aquarium and pond hobby. Demanding requirements - best for keepers with established mature systems.
Where Falcula Butterflyfish comes from
Falcula Butterflyfish (Chaetodon falcula) is native to Indo-Pacific reef ecosystems. Wild populations distribute across coral reefs from East Africa through Indonesia, the Philippines, and into the western Pacific. Captive-bred Falcula Butterflyfish is increasingly available and is the more sustainable choice when you can find it.
Falcula Butterflyfish tank size and setup
Falcula Butterflyfish requires a minimum of 125 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on 8 inches adult size and territorial range. For Falcula Butterflyfish, plan a mature reef tank with stable parameters, sand bed, live rock for cover, and reef LED if photosynthetic.
Water parameters for Falcula Butterflyfish
Falcula Butterflyfish requires standard reef parameters: temperature 76-80°F, specific gravity 1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, alkalinity 8-9 dKH, calcium 420-450 ppm, magnesium 1300-1400 ppm, ammonia + nitrite 0 ppm, nitrate under 10 ppm. Use a refractometer (not hydrometer) to measure salinity.
What Falcula Butterflyfish eats
Falcula Butterflyfish is a carnivore. Provide frozen mysis, brine, finely chopped seafood, and quality carnivore pellets. Live food triggers feeding response in stressed arrivals. Browse our food guides for product recommendations.
Falcula Butterflyfish tankmates and compatibility
Falcula Butterflyfish is best paired with peaceful reef-tank species in similar size class. Avoid known fin-nippers and large aggressive species.
Falcula Butterflyfish adult size and lifespan
Falcula Butterflyfish reaches 8 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 5-10 years with proper care.
Can you breed Falcula Butterflyfish?
Falcula Butterflyfish breeding in captivity ranges from straightforward to very difficult. Captive-bred specimens are increasingly available from sustainable aquaculture facilities.
Common Falcula Butterflyfish diseases and problems
Falcula Butterflyfish is susceptible to ich, velvet, marine flukes, and bacterial infections. Quarantine new Falcula Butterflyfish for 4-6 weeks before adding to display.
Where to buy Falcula Butterflyfish online
Falcula Butterflyfish is sold at LFS, online retailers, and direct from breeders. Browse live Falcula Butterflyfish from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping, climate-aware hold logic, and a 4-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims.
Related saltwater species you might also keep
Other species in the same category with care profiles on Fast Aquatics. Click any name for the full husbandry breakdown.
Falcula Butterflyfish taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.