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Fish Guide |  |
Family: Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Natural Range: Pacific Ocean
Depth: 3 to 82 ft. Size: 7.5 in. Jumps: No Space: 75+ gal.
Reef Safe: No Care Level: Difficult Temperament: Caution
Diet: Predator: invertebrates
Natural History: The Copperband Butterflyfish is found on reefs with turbid and sheltered conditions. This includes lagoons, inshore reefs, and estuaries. It is reported to feed on tubeworm tentacles and small crustaceans. Intraspecific competition in this species involves head butting and attempts to push the opponent backwards. Juveniles are solitary while adults are found solitary or in pairs.
Husbandry: A Copperbanded Butterflyfish may behave aggressively to its own species but will tolerate other species well. It may refuse foods and require live feeding of clams (opened) and worms until it can be weaned on frozen foods such as mysid shrimps. This species has managed to help maintain a flatworm-free and Aiptasia-free zoanthid aquarium at SeaScape Studios.