Chelmon rostratus
Due to
variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image
provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Color Form: Orange,
White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Compatible: With
Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78?
F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 8"
Origin: Australia,
Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore
Family: Chaetodontidae
Minimum Tank Size: 125
gallons
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 Butterflyfish is a difficult fish to feed;
it is a shy and deliberate feeder that may need a variety of foods offered to
it in order to start feeding.