Copperband Butterflyfish care guide
Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) — minimum tank 300 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Overview
The Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) is a striking Indo-West Pacific reef fish reaching about 20 cm. The silvery-white body bears four vertical copper-orange bands edged in black, a long needle-like snout used for picking food from crevices and a false eye-spot near the dorsal fin.
Taxonomy
- Family: Chaetodontidae
- Genus: Chelmon
- Scientific name: Chelmon rostratus
- Common synonyms: Beaked Coralfish
Habitat
Found across the Indo-West Pacific from southern Japan and the Ryukyus through the Philippines, Indonesia and Australia. The species inhabits coastal reefs, estuaries and silty inshore waters from 1 to 25 m, often associated with rocky outcrops and shipwrecks rather than purely coralline reefs.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L (79.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 15-20 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
Diet
A specialist carnivore that picks small worms, crustaceans and especially the tube-feet of Aiptasia anemones from coral crevices. In aquaria many specimens are notoriously difficult to wean onto prepared food; live black worm, frozen Artemia and mysis enriched with selcon, and crushed mussel on the shell are recommended starting foods.
Compatibility
Generally peaceful; only one per tank as conspecifics are intolerant. Suitable for community marine systems with peaceful tank mates such as cardinals, gobies, smaller wrasses and clownfish; avoid aggressive feeders that will outcompete it.
Reef compatibility
Not reliably reef-safe. Although prized for eating Aiptasia, the species also nips feather-duster worms, soft coral polyps, LPS tentacles and clam mantles. Acceptable in reefs only with the understanding that some invertebrate losses may occur.
Breeding
A pelagic broadcast spawner; eggs and larvae are dispersed in the open water column. Captive breeding has not been achieved on a commercial scale.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species has a wide range and stable global population, though heavy local collection is regulated in some areas.