Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)

Quick Stats:
Care Level: Difficult | Temperament: Peaceful | Color Form: Orange, White, Yellow | Diet: Carnivore | Reef Compatible: With Caution | Water Conditions: sg 1.020?1.025, 72?78? F, dKH 8?12, pH 8.1?8.4 | Max. Size: 8″ | Family: Chaetodontidae | Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons | Compatibility: View Chart

Overview
Did you know that this specimen ships from our LiveAquaria? Wisconsin Facility, home of our popular Diver’s Den? WYSIWYG Store and our LiveAquaria? Certified Captive Grown Corals (CCGC)? What that means is that you can rest assured knowing this specimen received the highest level of care from our experienced and professional LiveAquaria? staff!

PLUS, hobbyists that use our LiveAquaria? Professional Reef Salt have the added benefit knowing marine species shipped from our LiveAquaria? Wisconsin Facility share the same water parameters. In other words, if you use our Professional Reef Salt, marine species shipped from our Wisconsin Facility will acclimate and transition to your home aquarium with less stress to set the foundation for longer term success.

The Copperband Butterflyfish, also known as the Beaked Butterflyfish, Beaked Coralfish, or Orange Stripe Butterfly, has a long, narrow nose and mouth used for hunting into crevices and holes for food. The Copperband Butterflyfish has yellow-orange vertical bands with a black edging. It has a false eyespot on the rear of the dorsal fin. This is a difficult fish to mistake for any other.
It is best housed in very large reefs, or in peaceful community tanks. It should be kept singly, not with conspecifics or similar butterflyfish, and should not be kept with any stress-inducing fish. Caution should be exercised if housing these fish in a reef aquarium. They may pick on invertebrates, especially anemones and feather dusters. They are an excellent fish when used to control aiptasia, or glass anemones, in the reef aquarium.

The Copperband Butterflyfish is a difficult fish to feed; it is a shy and deliberate feeder that may need a variety of foods offered to it in order to start feeding.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 2 to 3″; Medium: 3″ to 4″; Large: 4″ to 5″; Extra Large: 5″ to 6″