Compatibility guide

Copperband Butterflyfish tank mates

What fish, coral, and inverts can live with the Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus). Tank mate compatibility broken into good / caution / avoid buckets - tank size minimum: 75 gallons minimum.

✓ Compatible (good tank mates)

These species coexist well with the Copperband Butterflyfish in an appropriately-sized tank.

⚠ Caution (compatible with management)

Workable pairings if the tank is large enough or the introduction is staged correctly.

✕ Avoid (incompatible tank mates)

Don't combine these with the Copperband Butterflyfish. Outcome is usually death of one species or chronic stress.

Stocking notes

Copperband butterflyfish are the aiptasia-eaters of the saltwater hobby. Notoriously picky eaters - many wild-caught specimens starve in captivity. Buy from a vendor who has the fish eating frozen mysis BEFORE you take it home. Reef-safe with caveats: eats aiptasia (good), may eat feather dusters (bad).

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