Care Level: Advanced

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: With Caution

General Description: The Copperband Butterflyfish, also referred to as the Beaked Butterflyfish or Orange Stripe Butterflyfish, is native to Australia and the Indo-Pacific. With its yellow-orange vertical bands edged in black and false eyespot on its dorsal fin, the Copperband butterfly is hard to mistake for any other butterflyfish species. A very popular butterflyfish in the hobby for eradicating nuisance Aiptasia anemones, the Copperband butterfly is unfortunately very hit or miss when it comes to adapting to aquarium life (see ‘Diet Requirements’ below). The Copperband butterfly has been thought to be relatively safe with most soft and small polyp stony corals, however caution should still be exercised when adding this species into a reef aquarium because this can be individual-specific behavior and whether its dietary demands are being met. Copperband butterflyfish will almost always nip at anemones and featherdusters. An adult Copperband butterfly can reach a size of approximately 7″.

Diet Requirements: Copperband butterflies are carnivores. Encouraging a butterfly to accept prepared foods can be a challenge at first, particularly for this species. We have found that offering live brine shrimp at the beginning can gain the interest of particularily fussy or stubborn individuals. Note: All of our butterflies for sale are eating frozen foods. A diet consisting of various frozen meaty preparations such as brine shrimp, spirulina brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and other mixed foods that include coral or sponge will maintain optimal health, immune function and coloration. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements, as butterflyfish have high metabolisms. Offering multiple, small feedings throughout the day can also be beneficial for maintaining butterflyfish health. It is not uncommon for butterflyfish to revert back to only accepting live foods for a period of time due to the stress of a new environment.

Care Requirements: An established, minimum 125 gallon aquarium is ideal. Smaller specimens can be temporarily raised in smaller quarters (no less than 75 gallons) as long as it is upgraded accordingly. The Copperband butterfly will appreciate some live rock and crevices to swim through and take refuge. Butterflyfish are sensitive to nitrite and ammonia spikes, and an established tank will also offer more abundant microfauna to forage on. Given their timid and shy nature, a Copperband butterfly should not be kept with overly aggressive or active species, especially those that can outcompete it in food resources. Compatability with other butterfly species is variable. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Small: 2″ to 3″; Medium: 3-1/4″ to 4-1/4″; Large: 4-1/2″ to 5″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.