🐠 Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)
A Silvery-White Body With Bold Copper-Orange Bands • A Long, Slender Probing Snout • A Prized, Elegant Reef Favourite
 
📋 The Copperband Butterflyfish, also known as the Beaked Butterflyfish or Beaked Coralfish, is an elegant fish with a silvery-white body crossed by bold copper-orange vertical bands, a long, slender snout adapted for probing crevices, and a false eyespot near the tail to confuse predators.
It comes from coastal reefs and estuaries across the Indo-Pacific, using its distinctive snout to hunt small invertebrates tucked into rock and coral crevices, the same trait that makes it a popular natural hunter of nuisance Aiptasia anemones. That ability varies between individuals: some specimens methodically clear Aiptasia, while others show little interest, so it's a welcome bonus rather than a guarantee. Every Copperband Butterflyfish we ship is feeding well, and we always confirm a specimen is eating confidently before it leaves us.
It settles in best in an already mature tank, six months or older, with an existing natural food source to graze on between feedings. It's reef safe with caution: it may pick at anemones, feather dusters, LPS, and some soft corals. Its long snout is delicate, so choose peaceful tankmates that won't damage it. It reaches up to 20cm, so plan on at least 280L.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 Silvery-White With Copper Bands: An elegant, classic reef favourite
👃 A Long Probing Snout: Adapted for hunting in crevices
🐌 A Possible Aiptasia Hunter: Many individuals take to it, though it varies
🍽️ Ships Feeding Well: Confirmed eating confidently before it ships
🌿 Reef Safe With Caution: May pick at anemones, feather dusters, and some corals