The Chevron Butterflyfish is one of the more elongate butterflyfish in the genus. Though it is occasionally available and is reasonably priced, it is one of the most difficult butterflyfish to keep in a captive environment. In their natural environment they are obligatory coral eaters, meaning this is where they get all of their nutrition. This specialized diet is difficult to reproduce in the aquarium and though some will accept substitute foods such as brine and mysid shrimps, they will subsist only for a short period of time without their necessary nutrients.Fortunately there are species that are quite similar, and some of these are easier to keep. Be sure to learn about any butterflyfish species that you are considering. Find out if it can be maintained in captivity and what its needs are.
According to Burgess (1978) this species is closely allied to the similarly colored chevrons including the Asian Butterflyfish C. argentatus, Seychelles Butterflyfish C. madagaskariensis, Merten's Butterflyfish C. mertenssii, Philippine Chevron Butterflyfish C. xanthurus and Eritrean Butterflyfish C. paucifasciatus (subgenus Rhombochaetodon). It is also closely allied with those having deeper bodies including the Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish C. baronessa, Hooded Butterflyfish C. larvatus, and Triangle Butterflyfish C. triangulum (subgenus Gonochaetodon).
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