Species Profile
Copperband Butterflyfish
Chelmon rostratus
Also known as: Beaked Coralfish, Copperbanded Butterflyfish
Butterflyfishpeaceful
Adult size
7″
Minimum tank
75 gal
Temperature
72–82°F
pH
8.1–8.4
Schooling
Solitary OK
Water level
mid
Grows from juvenile
Typically sold at ~2″ and reaches 7″ over ~2 years. Plan tank size for the adult, not the fish at purchase.Diet
Frozen mysis, live blackworms, clams on the half shell — picky eater
Notes
Elegantly arched body with vertical orange-red bands and a long pointed snout. Famous for eating Aiptasia pest anemones. Picky eater — many specimens won't accept prepared food and slowly starve. May nip clam mantles and some soft corals.
Photo: BS Turner Hof / Wikimedia Commons · Source · Public domain