Copper-Band Butterflyfish, Beaked Butterflyfish, Beaked Coralfish, Orange Stripe Butterfly

Chelmon rostratus

Size: 8 inches

Minimum tank size: 50 gallons

Reef safe: With caution. Some have been observed to nip at large polyp stony corals as well as clam mantles.

Diet: Meat based foods and aptasia. May nip at corals

Temperament: Territorial

General: Copperband butterflies are often imported and purchased for their unique ability to eat aptasia, but they are in fact one of the more sensitive common aquarium fish and should be considered heavily before purchase. Copperbands may in fact eat aptasia, but some of them may also refuse to eat all together. Their natural eating habits include picking at food in reef rock, so in some cases feeding response may be enticed by pressing frozen food into your rockwork. Clams on the half shell may also help to entice eating, and as a last resort, live foods may be enough to get a copperband started. These fish are extremely sensitive and should be acclimated very carefully. Their gills also require care, and thus they should never be netted. Prior to purchasing, always ask to see the fish eat, and never purchase one that has been netted.

Photo by anpgp of 3Reef

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