Wrought Iron Butterflyfish WYSIWYG

Chaetodon daedalma, commonly known as the Wrought-Iron Butterflyfish, is a captivating marine ray-finned fish native to the western Pacific Ocean, particularly near central and southern Japan. Let me introduce you to its fascinating features:

• Appearance: The Wrought-Iron Butterflyfish is predominantly metallic black, adorned with yellow margins on its dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. Its body exhibits markings resembling a cross-hatch pattern, with scales featuring pale yellow centers and broad black margins, creating a lattice-like or netted effect. Interestingly, this species deviates from the typical vibrant colors seen in most butterflyfish.

• Habitat and Behavior: Chaetodon daedalma prefers clear and outer waters at depths exceeding 10 meters (33 feet). They are sociable creatures, often forming schools of more than ten individuals. These nomadic fish graze on algae and various benthic invertebrates, including fanworms, hydroids, gastropods, barnacles, and tunicates. Occasionally, they congregate in large numbers, creating a mesmerizing undulating formation known as a “wrought-iron ball,” which may serve as a defensive strategy.

• Taxonomy and Etymology: The scientific name Chaetodon daedalma was coined by American ichthyologists David Starr Jordan and Henry Weed Fowler in 1902. The specific epithet “daedalma” refers to a style of artistic embroidery, alluding to the intricate patterning displayed by this butterflyfish¹.

While Chaetodon daedalma is uncommon in the fishkeeping trade outside Japan due to its restricted distribution, it remains a prized gem when encountered.