Copperband Butterflyfish
Chelmon rostratus · KEL-mon ros-TRAY-tus
diurnalpairsLeast Concern
Friendly
Superpower
A long tweezer-like snout reaches prey deep inside narrow reef cracks.
At a glance
- Size
- typically 18 cm, up to 20 cm
- Lifespan
- 5–10 years
- Depth
- 1–25 m
Habitat
Reefs, estuaries and rocky shores.
Diet
Small invertebrates tweezered from cracks and crevices.
Can I eat it?
No — this one is not eaten.
Fun facts
- Its long beak-like snout reaches food other fish can't.
- A false eye-spot on the rear fin fools predators.
- Aquarists prize it for eating pest anemones.