What fish can live with Copperband Butterflyfish?

Copperband Butterflyfish pairs well with Ocellaris Clownfish, Blue-Green Chromis, Royal Gramma, Firefish Goby, Yellow Tang, Percula Clownfish. Compatibility depends on tank size, water parameters, and stocking density; the full list on this page ranks every checked pairing.

Species Profile

Copperband Butterflyfish

Chelmon rostratus

Also known as: Beaked Coralfish, Copperbanded Butterflyfish

Butterflyfishpeaceful

Adult size

7″

Minimum tank

75 gal

Temperature

72–82°F

8.1–8.4

Schooling

Solitary OK

Water level

mid

Grows from juvenile

Typically sold at ~2″ and reaches 7″ over ~2 years. Plan tank size for the adult, not the fish at purchase.

Diet

Frozen mysis, live blackworms, clams on the half shell, picky eater

Notes

Elegantly arched body with vertical orange-red bands and a long pointed snout. Famous for eating Aiptasia pest anemones. Picky eater, many specimens won't accept prepared food and slowly starve. May nip clam mantles and some soft corals.

Compatible Tankmates

Best tank mates for Copperband Butterflyfish

Every species below passes the compatibility engine when paired with Copperband Butterflyfishin a suitably sized tank. Verdicts come from the same rules the builder uses — click a card to see that species' own care profile and its tank mates in turn.