Marcella Butterflyfish

(Prognathodes marcellae)

Prognathodes Butterflyfish should be added to well established aquariums with plenty of room to swim. Plenty of rock work should be provided for grazing and hiding. Prognathodes Butterflyfish are considered hardy and will generally adapt well in aquariums. A diet of meaty and algae based foods should be provided multiple times daily. Prognathodes Butterflyfish tend to be shy and peaceful but can become territorial if their aquarium is to small. Prognathodes Butterflyfish use their long noses to explore cracks and crevices for food and may pick at corals, crustaceans, algae and clam mantles if not well fed. A diet of meaty foods including live fortified Brine and mysis shrimp and black or red worms along with herbivore preparations should be provided. If not readily eating try pressing foods into holes or crevices mimicing their natural feeding habits. These Butterflyfish should be housed singly. Most fish in this species are considered to be cool water fish.

The Marcella Butterflyfish is also known as the French Butterflyfish. Rarely seen in the aquarium trade. Brightly colored the Marcella Butterflyfish is primarily yellow with a thin black band that connects the eyes, another thick vertical band on the rear of the fish, the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are yellow. Marcella Butterflyfish can grow to 5".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 75 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareEasyEasy CareModerateModerate
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightMediumMedium