Copperbanded Butterflyfish – Chelmon rostratus
Species name: Chelmon rostratus
Common names: Copperbanded Butterflyfish
Family: Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Order: Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Maximum Lench: 7.9 in.
Minimum tank size: 70 gal.
Hardiness: Medium to difficult
Aggressiveness: They are peaceful fish but they like to be kept on their own, not with conspecifics or similar butterflyfish unless it’s a male/female pairs.
Reef Compatibility: Reef Safe with soft coral and SPS. Some specimen may nip at some LPS, soft coral and zoanthids.
Diet: Carnivore. Live food is often required. They can be feed with mussels that have been broken open, mysid shrimp, crustacean flesh and frozen food made for carnivore fish. It should be feed 2 to 3 times daily. Will eat Aiptasia spp (Glass Anemones) so they can become a great ally for pest control.
Additional information:
In its natural habitat, Copperbanded Butterflyfish is found singly and in pairs along rocky shores and coral reefs of the Indo-west Pacific. It is a great looking fish but unfortunately, has a low survival record in captivity. It is recognize to be one of the more difficult marine fish to keep in the home aquarium and is definitely not recommended for beginner. They should only be introduced to an established reef tank, as they graze the reef and corals for food. Some may addapt well to their new home while some may refuse to eat and die.
Most Tangs and large Angelfish will not tolerate the addition of a Butterflyfish. It is best housed in very large reefs (over 70 gallons), or in peaceful community tanks.
Best water conditions for this fish are as follows: Temperature between 72 and 78° F with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025 and dKH at 8 to 12
Popularity: 1% [?]
