Copperband Butterfly Fish - Chelmon rostratus - Copperband Butterflyfish - Beaked Coralfish

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 has an elongated mouth which it uses to pick at coral heads, including nuisance Aiptasia. These fish will accept many fish foods, but require excellent water quality. The Copperband is very docile and gets along well with other community fish. It is best to only keep one per tank.

Behaviors: In the wild this species is found in very large schools, thus, it is able to be kept in groups in the aquarium environment as well. The juveniles of this species will actually act as cleaner fish to other larger species. This species tends to be peaceful with every other aquarium fish species, only rarely showing any type of aggression.

Maximum Size: Copperbsnd Butterfly Fish can grow to 8 Inches.

General Size Specifications: Small: 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"; Medium: 2-1/2" to 4"; Large: 4" to 6"

Minimum Tank Size: Copperband Butterfly Fish prefers a tank of at least 50 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Water Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12

Habitat: Indo-Pacific

Feeding and Diet: Omnivore. Offer a varied diet including crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp and frozen preparations. Feed at least three times daily.

Breeding: The Copperband Butterfly Fish is an egg-scatterer.

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