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.
Livestock Delivery
DX courier delivery is £29.95 per livestock order.
Free delivery when your livestock subtotal is over £350.
Delivery is scheduled for your selected delivery date and typically arrives before 1pm.
There is no minimum 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 Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
- If any stock issues affect your chosen delivery date, we will contact you as soon as possible by email or telephone.
- Shipping for dry goods is charged separately from livestock delivery and does not count towards the £350 free delivery threshold. Dry goods are dispatched according to our standard delivery policy.