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Copperband Butterflyfish

Copperband Butterflyfish

Chelmon rostratus

The Copperband Butterflyfish is a sleek, elegant fish with bold vertical copper-orange bands and a distinctive elongated snout used to probe crevices for small invertebrates. It is particularly prized for its potential to eradicate Aiptasia pest anemones, though not all individuals will take to eating them. Notoriously finicky about food — patience with live or frozen mysis is key; best suited to experienced reef keepers.

TemperamentPeaceful
Max Size8"
Care LevelDifficult
CategoryButterflyfish

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Compatibility Chart for Copperband Butterflyfish

See how Copperband Butterflyfish gets along with every other species in our database.

Great Match (5)

Yellow Tang Great No competition - great match Firefish Goby Great Both peaceful Mandarin Dragonet Great Both shy; different zones Green Chromis Great Beautiful peaceful community Foxface Rabbitfish Great Both peaceful; great match

Compatible (67)

Blue Hippo Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Powder Blue Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Kole Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Naso Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Ocellaris Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species True Percula Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species Maroon Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species Clarkii Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species Coral Beauty Angelfish Compatible No known issues between these species Six Line Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Fairy Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Melanurus Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Cleaner Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Yellowspotted Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Clown Goby Compatible No known issues between these species Yellow Watchman Goby Compatible No known issues between these species Yellowtail Damselfish Compatible No known issues between these species Flame Hawkfish Compatible No known issues between these species Longnose Hawkfish Compatible No known issues between these species Midas Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Tailspot Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Lawnmower Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Bicolor Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Royal Gramma Compatible No known issues between these species Banggai Cardinalfish Compatible No known issues between these species Pajama Cardinalfish Compatible No known issues between these species Purple Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Scopas Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Achilles Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Clown Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Sohal Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Convict Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Tomini Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Horn Shark Compatible No known issues between these species Coral Catshark Compatible No known issues between these species Magnificent Foxface Compatible No known issues between these species One Spot Foxface Compatible No known issues between these species Masked Rabbitfish Compatible No known issues between these species Long Tentacle Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Sebae Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Chicago Sunburst BTA Compatible No known issues between these species Rose Bubble Tip Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Rainbow Bubble Tip Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Colorado Sunburst BTA Compatible No known issues between these species Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Fire Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Peppermint Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Tiger Pistol Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Sexy Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Emerald Crab Compatible No known issues between these species Blue Leg Hermit Crab Compatible No known issues between these species Turbo Snail Compatible No known issues between these species Nassarius Snail Compatible No known issues between these species Tuxedo Urchin Compatible No known issues between these species Red Fromia Starfish Compatible No known issues between these species Zoanthids Compatible Usually safe with zoas Mushroom Coral Compatible No known issues between these species Rhodactis Mushroom Compatible No known issues between these species Ricordea Florida Compatible No known issues between these species Ricordea Yuma Compatible No known issues between these species Bounce Mushroom Compatible No known issues between these species Green Star Polyps Compatible No known issues between these species Pulsing Xenia Compatible No known issues between these species Acropora Compatible Copperband rarely nips SPS Montipora Compatible No known issues between these species Leather Coral Compatible No known issues between these species Duncan Coral Compatible No known issues between these species

Somewhat Compatible (8)

Flame Angelfish Somewhat Compatible Angel may outcompete shy butterfly Raccoon Butterflyfish Somewhat Compatible Two butterflies can be territorial Longnose Butterflyfish Somewhat Compatible May compete for food Bluechin Triggerfish Somewhat Compatible Monitor; butterfly is shy Pinktail Triggerfish Somewhat Compatible Monitor; butterfly is shy Hammer Coral Somewhat Compatible May occasionally pick at LPS Torch Coral Somewhat Compatible May pick at extended polyps Frogspawn Coral Somewhat Compatible Some individuals nip frogspawn

Risky (5)

Emperor Angelfish Risky Emperor too aggressive for shy butterfly French Angelfish Risky French angel too dominating Niger Triggerfish Risky Butterfly too timid Bubble Tip Anemone Risky Butterflyfish eat anemone tentacles Magnificent Anemone Risky Will pick at anemone

Not Compatible (7)

Blue Devil Damselfish Not Compatible Damsel will destroy the shy butterfly Brownbanded Bamboo Shark Not Compatible Will be eaten Epaulette Shark Not Compatible Will be eaten Picasso Triggerfish Not Compatible Butterfly too slow and timid Clown Triggerfish Not Compatible Will be destroyed Undulate Triggerfish Not Compatible Will be destroyed Carpet Anemone Not Compatible Butterfly too slow; will be caught

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