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. Famous for eating Aiptasia, and notorious for refusing everything 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.
Compatibility
Peaceful toward fish. Not reef safe - will pick at tubeworms, ornamental shrimp, clams and some corals alongside the Aiptasia.
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-collected specimens have a noticeably better feeding record than Indo-Pacific ones, so provenance is worth asking about. Needs a mature tank with abundant live rock fauna.
DX courier delivery is £20 per livestock order.
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There is no minimum or maximum order value.
Additional information:
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