Copperband butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Acanthuriformes · Family: Chaetodontidae · Genus: Chelmon.

Accepted name: Chelmon rostratus · Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 218758.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Chaelmo rostratus (Linnaeus, 1758); Chaetodon enceladus Shaw, 1791; Chaetodon rostratus Linnaeus, 1758; Chelmo rostratus (Linnaeus, 1758); Chelmon lol Montrouzier, 1857.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218758 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Chelmon rostratus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 20 cm · Depth range: 1–25 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: A common species found singly and in pairs along rocky shores and coral reefs; also in estuaries and silty inner reefs (Ref. 9710, 48636). Territorial species (Ref. 48636). Oviparous (Ref. 205), monogamous (Ref. 52884). Forms pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5483) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Chelmon-rostratus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

3,112 georeferenced occurrence records for Chelmon rostratus are published through GBIF from 19 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 253 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 34 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Australia (2,284); Thailand (205); Malaysia (151); Philippines (147); Singapore (130).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5209920) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5209920&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218758 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Chelmon rostratus (Linnaeus, 1758) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 165659) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165659/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 5209920) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5209920/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

These fish are easily identified by the yellow banding and long snout. The young fish are similar in appearance to adult fish. Butterflyfish grow up to 20 cm in length. The fish appears taller than its length because of its compressed, deep-bodied form with a long dorsal and posterior fins as well as its vertical yellow stripes on a white background. The snout is long and slender, and the dark eye of the fish is less conspicuous than the dark eye-spot on the dorsal fin. The base of the tail features a dark band that runs perpendicular to the tail.

Butterflyfish may be distinguished from the similar C. marginalis by their color pattern and number of dorsal fin rays.

Copperband butterflyfish are found at depths of 1−25 metres either alone or in pairs. These fish form monogamous pairs during breeding. They are usually found on coral reefs or rocky shorelines, and also in estuaries and silty inner reefs. This species is territorial and oviparous.

Copperband butterflyfish can grow to 8 in but in a home aquarium are usually half that size. They do well at a normal reef temperature range of 75 to 84 F, with a tank size of at least 75 gallons and plenty of live rock to graze on. This species can be considered reef safe. It will eat many invertebrates, including parasitic forms such as tubeworms, Calliactis parasitica and common glass anemone (Aiptasia, parasitic anemone). Many aquarists introduce the Copperband Butterfly just to get rid of these pests without giving consideration to their long term needs for survival. Given a choice, Aiptasia is the least favored food. The butterflyfish preys on all tube and substrate worms, clams, and mollusks. This is not a recommended fish for inexperienced aquarists, as it requires excellent tank conditions to thrive or even survive.

Source: Wikipedia: Copperband butterflyfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copperband_butterflyfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

In the aquarium (Wikipedia, cited section)

Aquarium of the PacificLeningrad Zoo Copperband butterflyfish can grow to 8 inches (20 cm) but in a home aquarium are usually half that size.[citation needed] They do well at a normal reef temperature range of 75 to 84 °F (24 to 29 °C), with a tank size of at least 75 gallons and plenty of live rock to graze on. This species can be considered reef safe. It will eat many invertebrates, including parasitic forms such as tubeworms, Calliactis parasitica and common glass anemone (Aiptasia, parasitic anemone). Many aquarists introduce the Copperband Butterfly just to get rid of these pests without giving consideration to their long term needs for survival. Given a choice, Aiptasia is the least favored food. The butterflyfish preys on all tube and substrate worms, clams, and mollusks. This is not a recommended fish for inexperienced aquarists, as it requires excellent tank conditions to thrive or even survive.

This block reproduces what the species' own Wikipedia article states about it in captivity, with that article's 4 inline citations. No care parameters — tank size, temperature, reef-safety, temperament — are published by any of the databases used on this page, and none have been added.

Source: Wikipedia: Copperband butterflyfish — section "In the aquarium" — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copperband_butterflyfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.