Shipping & Delivery

Delivery area: Contiguous 48 United States and Washington, DC only. No Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, other U.S. territories, APO/FPO/DPO, PO boxes, or international delivery. These restrictions also apply through Shopify Collective retailers.

Live animal shipping: $59.99. No free livestock-shipping threshold applies. Livestock travels separately from frozen foods and dry goods; separate shipping groups or fulfillment locations may have separate charges shown at checkout.

Shipping days: Monday–Wednesday via Priority Overnight or an equivalent overnight service, subject to livestock readiness and safe weather/carrier conditions. This fish requires up to 14 days of preparation before dispatch; overnight transit starts after shipment.

DOA claims: Contact us immediately and submit clear photographs within 12 hours of carrier-confirmed delivery. Original shipping is nonrefundable; approved replacements require payment of applicable shipping, packaging, and handling. See the Shipping & Live Arrival Policy for documentation, exclusions, and claim review.

Review the Shipping & Live Arrival Policy and final charges at checkout. Livestock delivery is limited to the contiguous 48 states and Washington, DC.

The Auriga Butterflyfish, also known as the Threadfin Butterflyfish, is one of the most recognizable and adaptable butterflyfish available to marine aquarium keepers. Its brilliant white body is covered with delicate black chevron markings, complemented by a dark eye band, bright yellow fins, and a distinctive trailing dorsal filament.

Compared with many other butterflyfish, the Auriga is generally considered a hardier and more approachable choice. It is an active swimmer that creates an impressive display in a spacious, mature fish-only marine aquarium.

The fish received will measure approximately 2.5–3.5 inches.

Please Note

The photograph represents the typical appearance of this species. The exact fish received will vary naturally in size, coloration, markings, and appearance.

This fish is not considered reef safe. It may nip at stony corals, soft corals, anemones, feather dusters, worms, and other sessile invertebrates.

Quarantine and Availability

This fish is made available through a managed quarantine process and may require up to 14 days before it is ready to ship. Shipping timing depends on where the individual fish is within the quarantine process when the order is placed.

Orders containing this fish will ship only after the fish has completed the required observation and quarantine period. Customers will receive tracking information when the order is ready to leave the facility.

Care Information

Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Scientific Name: Chaetodon auriga
Common Names: Auriga Butterflyfish, Threadfin Butterflyfish
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Reef Safe: No
Minimum Aquarium Size: 125 Gallons
Available Size: Approximately 2.5–3.5 Inches
Maximum Adult Size: Approximately 8–9 Inches
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Water Movement: Moderate
Aquarium Region: All Levels

Aquarium Requirements

The Auriga Butterflyfish requires a mature, well-filtered saltwater aquarium with excellent water quality, ample open swimming room, and plenty of established rockwork for shelter and grazing.

A minimum aquarium size of 125 gallons is recommended due to its adult size and active swimming behavior. Keep only one Auriga Butterflyfish unless a compatible pair is introduced simultaneously into a considerably larger aquarium.

Avoid housing this fish with highly aggressive tankmates that may prevent it from feeding or cause excessive stress. It may become territorial toward other butterflyfish or fish with similar body shapes and coloration.

Diet and Feeding

Offer a varied diet several times throughout the day. Suitable foods include:

Mysis shrimp
Enriched brine shrimp
Finely chopped shrimp
Clam and mussel
Marine fish preparations
Spirulina-enriched foods
High-quality marine pellets
Marine algae and nori

Newly introduced butterflyfish may initially be hesitant to eat. Established live rock and a variety of frozen foods can help encourage natural grazing and feeding behavior.

Recommended Water Parameters

Temperature: 72–78°F
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Live Animal Shipping

Useful Pairings

Prepare with our fish acclimation and isolation equipment, species-appropriate fish foods and water testing supplies. Choose food and equipment for the animal’s adult needs. Supplier preparation does not replace your own quarantine.

Why Buy From Infinity & Beyond Aquatics?

Get personal aquarium support, help checking compatibility and clear shipping information before ordering. Contact us with questions about choosing or maintaining this item for your aquarium.