Copper Band Butterfly

Description: 
The Copperbanded Butterflyfish is very easily recognized by the copper coloured vertical bands over a silver body, a black eye spot near its dorsal fin and a long pointed snout.

Scientific Name: Chelmon Rostratus
.

Family: Chaetodontidae
.

Common Names: Copperbanded Butterflyfish.

Natural Environment:
 Comes from reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Copperbanded butterflyfish are not yet propagated in captivity.

Care:

Reef Suitability: The Copperbanded is a very attractive fish and a great addition to a reef tank. Butterflyfish in general tend to be viewed as potential coral eaters, but Copperband butterflyfish are generally reef safe. They will tend to deplete the tank of any small fan worms however. They are sometimes used in the control of the pest aiptasia anemone (glass anemone). This is a hit and miss affair. Some specimens will eat them and some do not. I have had success with teaching his Copperbanded to eat aiptasia by putting chunks of food he like to eat into the aiptasia. As the Copperbanded went for the food it would also get a taste of the aiptasia. Eventually it learned to eat them without this prompt. Try this if you find yourself in this position. Does require a bit of patience.

Disposition: Very non-aggressive fish. It can be bullied by more aggressive fish, so be on the lookout for this when introducing a new fish. Only one should be kept per tank to prevent fighting.

Feeding: The Copperbanded will get part of its nutrition from feeding on the small life forms found on live rock. It is especially fond of small fan worms. They will also usually take smallish meaty foods such as frozen brine shrimp or blood worms. Keep in mind that they have very small mouths and will usually not attempt to eat the larger foods that are offered. Getting them to feed on a nutritionally balanced diet is often the most difficult part of being successful with this fish. Stubborn fish may accept live foods. Copperbanded butterflyfish may compete for food with other live rock foragers such as Mandarins.

Hardiness: The Copperbanded can be a somewhat delicate fish, but once successfully acclimated, seems to do well. Good nutrition is key.

Temperature: Does well within normal reef tank temperature ranges of 24°C to 27°C.

Size: Copperbanded butterflyfish can get up to 8 in., but are usually found at about 1/2 that size in the home tank. Minimum tank size should be about 55 gallons to provide for its live rock grazing.