Compatibility guide

Klein's Butterflyfish tank mates

What fish, coral, and inverts can live with the Klein's Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii). Tank mate compatibility broken into good / caution / avoid buckets - tank size minimum: 70 gallons minimum.

✓ Compatible (good tank mates)

These species coexist well with the Klein's Butterflyfish in an appropriately-sized tank.

✓
Reef-safe fish - Klein's is among the most reef-safe butterflyfish
✓
Cleaner shrimp - Compatible
✓
Most LPS + soft coral - Generally leaves coral alone (unlike most butterflies)

⚠ Caution (compatible with management)

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

⚠
Other butterflyfish - Conspecific or shape-similar aggression
⚠
SPS coral - May pick at Acropora polyps under stress

✕ Avoid (incompatible tank mates)

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

✕
Aggressive tangs - Powder Blue, Achilles bully Klein's
✕
Triggers - Predator at adult trigger size

Stocking notes

Klein's butterflyfish (Sunburst Butterflyfish) is one of the few reef-safe butterflyfish. Hardy, accepts frozen mysis quickly, and tolerates parameter swings better than copperband or auriga butterflyfish. Adult size 6 inches.

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