Care guide at a glance
Chaetodon rainfordi
Description
A small Australian butterflyfish in yellow with orange bands and a dark eye stripe. Beautiful, and one of the more difficult butterflyfish to keep alive.
Feeding
Feeds primarily on coral polyps in the wild. In aquaria it must be weaned onto frozen mysis, clam, blackworm and sponge-based preparations, several times daily. Many specimens never adapt and starve.
Compatibility
Peaceful toward fish. Not reef safe - it eats coral polyps, which is the whole problem.
Behaviour and personality
Picks constantly at rock and coral surfaces. Shy on arrival.
Before you buy
A coral-eating specialist, so it is unsuitable for a reef and hard to feed in a fish-only tank. Success requires a mature system with live rock and considerable patience. Many experienced keepers avoid the species.
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