Copperband butterflyfish reef compatibility check
Chelmon rostratus
Copperband butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) is an expert-level butterflyfish that needs at least 100 gallons. It is reef safe with caution; difficult feeder. Temperament is peaceful and adults reach about 8 inches. Add it as middle-stage livestock once the tank is at least 6 months old.
Expert-only fish that should not be bought as a beginner pest-control shortcut.
Who it is for
Good fit for
- ✓ Tanks of 100+ gallons at the animal's adult size.
- ✓ Peaceful community tanks.
Not a fit for
- ✕ Tanks under 100 gallons, even while it is small.
- ✕ Keepers without experience and a long-stable system.
- ✕ New tanks; wait until the system is about 6+ months old.
- ✕ Reefs where the cautions on this page would put existing corals or inverts at risk.
Compatibility warnings
- Difficult feeder.
- May nip some invertebrates and corals.
- Check adult size against the final tank, not the fish or coral at purchase size.
- Add livestock slowly so the bioload and nutrient export can keep up.
- Use the planner when this animal changes the tank-size, flow, lighting, or stocking plan.
Professional planning context
- Use the 100 gallon minimum as an adult-planning floor; display length, aquascape, and existing tankmates can raise that floor.
- Hold this entry until the system has at least 6 months of maturity or equivalent stability evidence.
- Professionals should model aggression by territory and introduction order, not only by care level.
Tank fit and maturity gate
ReefCrafter uses 100 gallons as the planning floor for adult size, swimming room, nutrient load, and aggression margin.
This animal should wait until the tank has enough age, food web stability, or parameter history.
Care notes
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Reef safety
- Caution
- Adult size
- 8 in
- Placement
- Build dependent
- Diet
- Build dependent
- Flow
- Varied
- Light
- None
- Bioload
- 2.3
- Stocking stage
- Middle
Related species
- Foxface rabbitfish
Same 100-gallon floor, intermediate care.
- Purple tang
Same 100-gallon floor, intermediate care, reef safe.
- Blue hippo tang
125+ gallons, intermediate care, reef safe.
- Powder blue tang
125+ gallons, reef safe.
Equipment that fits
- CADE Pro Reef 1200 Series 2
145-gallon display, above this animal's 100-gallon floor.
- Waterbox INFINIA Peninsula 7225 Aquarium System (167 gallons)
167-gallon display, above this animal's 100-gallon floor.
- Waterbox REEF 220.6 Aquarium System (167 gallons)
167-gallon display, above this animal's 100-gallon floor.
Related reading
Questions
What size tank does the copperband butterflyfish need?
ReefCrafter plans for at least 100 gallons, based on an adult size of about 8 inches, plus swimming room, nutrient load, and aggression margin. Use the adult size, not the size at purchase.
Is the copperband butterflyfish reef safe?
It is reef safe with caution in ReefCrafter's catalog. Watch for: Difficult feeder; May nip some invertebrates and corals.
Is the copperband butterflyfish good for beginners?
It is rated expert care, so most beginners should add it later, after parameters have been stable for 6+ months.
When should I add the copperband butterflyfish to my tank?
ReefCrafter treats it as middle-stage livestock for a tank at least 6 months old. Add livestock slowly so nutrient export keeps up.