Care guide at a glance
Chelmon rostratus
Description
A white butterflyfish crossed with copper-orange bands and a long fine snout, with a false eyespot on the dorsal fin. Renowned for eating Aiptasia anemones, and renowned for refusing to eat anything else.
Feeding
A specialist feeder taking small invertebrates from crevices with the long snout. Live blackworm, live mysis and enriched frozen mysis, several times daily. Many specimens refuse prepared food entirely.
Compatibility
Peaceful toward fish. Not reef safe - will pick at tubeworms, ornamental shrimp, clams and some corals, alongside the Aiptasia it is bought for.
Behaviour and personality
Probes rockwork constantly with the fine snout. Shy on arrival and slow to settle.
Before you buy
Bought for Aiptasia control and frequently lost to starvation. Australian specimens have a better feeding record than Indo-Pacific ones, which is worth the premium. It needs a mature tank with abundant live rock fauna and considerable patience.
DX courier delivery is £20 per livestock order.
Delivery is scheduled for your selected delivery date and typically arrives before 1pm.
There is no minimum or maximum order value.
Additional information:
- In-stock livestock orders will be processed and dispatched for delivery on the date selected on the cart/basket page.
- Available delivery days are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
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- Shipping for dry goods is charged separately from livestock delivery. Dry goods are dispatched according to our standard delivery policy.
- All livestock remains covered by our 7-day guarantee.