Copperband Butterflyfish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Chelmon rostratus
UncommonChaetodontidaeHarmless
ID points
- Four broad copper-orange bands edged in black on a white ground
- Long thin tubular snout, used to reach into crevices
- A white-edged black false eyespot at the rear of the dorsal fin
Basics
- Family
- Chaetodontidae
- Length
- 15–20 cm
- Depth
- 1-25 m
- Regions
- Indo-Pacific reefs
- Distribution
- Coral reefs from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific
- Habitat
- Coral reefs and rocky inshore areas
- Diet
- Polychaete worms, small crustaceans
Easily confused with
ButterflyfishFlattened disc-shaped body with a protruding snout
Raccoon ButterflyfishA black and white eye band, like the mask of a raccoon
BannerfishThe fourth dorsal spine drawn out into a very long white bannerFun fact
The Copperband Butterflyfish has a long tubular snout built for reaching into coral crevices after polychaete worms and small crustaceans. A conspicuous black false eyespot sits at the rear of the dorsal fin, misleading predators about which end to attack. The broad copper-orange bands against white make it unmistakable.
More in this family
- Eightband Butterflyfish
- Foureye Butterflyfish
- Lemon Butterflyfish
- Longnose Butterflyfish
- Saddleback Butterflyfish
- Teardrop Butterflyfish