Copperband Butterflyfish

Chelmon rostratus

A tweezer-snouted beauty with copper bands and a fake eye near its tail to confuse predators.

A peaceful saltwater fish that grows to 20 cm, lives in the middle of the tank and needs 24–27 °C, pH 8.0–8.4 and an aquarium of at least 250 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Saltwater

Temperature

24–27 °C (75–81 °F)

pH

8.0–8.4

Adult size

20 cm (7.9 in)

Aquarium

250 L or bigger (66 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Middle

Diet

Carnivore

Wild home

Indo-Pacific reefs

Good to know

• Delicate. Sensitive to poor water quality.
• Coral nipper. Picks at corals, so it is no friend of a reef tank.

Tank mates

Good company: Blue-Leg Hermit Crab, Coral Beauty, Firefish Goby, Flame Hawkfish, Golden Dwarf Moray, Green Chromis, Mandarin Dragonet, Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Psychedelic Frogfish, Snowflake Moray.

Attacked by: Clown Triggerfish.

Eats the newborn fry of: Harlequin Shrimp.

Colours

• Classic rare

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.