Copperband Butterflyfish, scientifically known as Chelmon rostratus, lives in reefs of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is also known as Beaked Coral Fish.
There are three species in the Chelmon genus, and they all have long beaks.
You can find this fish alone or in pairs near rocky shores and coral reefs, as well as estuaries and silty inner reefs.
Copperband butterflyfish is territorial by nature.
When it comes to keeping them in a reef aquarium, use caution because they may cause problems for some tank inhabitants.
Copperband Butterflyfish Interesting Facts
- Copperband butterflyfish are monogamous and mate for life, forming strong social bonds with their partners.
- They grow up to 7.9 inches (20.0 centimeters) long and live for up to 10 years, with a distinct appearance featuring orange vertical bars and a long snout.
- These fish inhabit shallow waters near reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, ranging from the Andaman Sea to Australia.
- Caution is advised when keeping them in reef aquariums.
Copperband Butterflyfish Habitat
Copperband butterflyfish is found in the Western Pacific Ocean. Its habitat stretches from the Andaman Sea to the Ryukyu Islands and Australia.
It lives in marine and brackish environments near reefs and doesn’t migrate.
This tropical fish prefers shallow waters with a depth range of 1 to 25 meters.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Copperband Butterflyfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 7.9 inches (20.0 centimeters)
Copperband butterflyfish grows up to 7.9 inches (20.0 centimeters) long and can live for up to 10 years.
It has 9 spines on its dorsal fin, with 28 to 30 soft rays, and its anal fin has 3 spines with 19 to 21 soft rays.
This fish has a white-silver head and body with orange vertical bars that have black edges.
There is one bar across the eye, two on the front half of the body, and one larger bar towards the back.
The tail area has a dark brownish bar, and its fins are yellow-orange in color. Its long snout makes it easy to identify.
Young copperband butterflyfish look very similar to adults.
The snout length measures about 1.7 to 2.1 times the head length, while the body depth is around 1.5 to 2 times the standard length of the fish.
Copperband Butterflyfish Reproduction
Copperband butterflyfish pairs up in a unique way. These fish mate for life and are monogamous, meaning they have only one partner.
This behavior is seen as both necessary (obligate) and social in their species.
Copperband Butterflyfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Chaetodontidae |
| Genus: | Chelmon |
| Scientific Name: | Chelmon rostratus |
| Also Known As: | Copperband Butterflyfish, Beaked Coral Fish |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |