Copperband Butterfly

Copperband Butterflyfish

One of the most elegant and recognizable butterflyfish in the hobby, the Copperband Butterflyfish features striking copper-orange bands, a long pointed snout, and graceful swimming behavior. Highly sought after for both its beauty and natural pest-picking behavior, this species can become a true centerpiece in established reef aquariums.

🟢 Quarantined (Minimum 2 Weeks) – Fully Conditioned & Eating

Quick Facts

• Care Level: Moderate–Advanced
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Reef Compatibility: Reef Safe with caution
• Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
• Size: Ranging from approximately 4–8 inches at adult size

Behavior & Husbandry

Copperband Butterflyfish are calm, deliberate swimmers that spend much of their time picking through rockwork in search of small invertebrates and natural food sources. They thrive in mature aquariums with stable water conditions, peaceful tankmates, and plenty of live rock.

This species can be more delicate during acclimation compared to many other marine fish, making proper conditioning and feeding response extremely important.

Many hobbyists also value Copperbands for their potential to help control nuisance pests such as aiptasia, though individual results may vary.

Feeding & Diet

Carnivorous and benefits from a varied feeding regimen.

What We Feed at Lush Corals:

• Frozen mysis shrimp
• Enriched brine shrimp
• Clam and meaty frozen foods
• Prepared frozen blends

In Your Aquarium:

• Frozen mysis and brine
• Clam or mussel meat
• Meaty frozen foods

Frequent feeding and a calm environment greatly improve long-term success.

Compatibility Notes

Compatible with:

• Tangs
• Wrasses
• Clownfish
• Peaceful reef fish

Use caution with:

• Aggressive tankmates
• Certain feather dusters or tube worms
• Some coral species or invertebrates

Best suited for mature, stable aquariums with low competition during feeding.

Lush Corals Quarantine & Conditioning Process

This fish has completed our full quarantine and conditioning protocol (minimum 2 weeks) prior to being made available.

During this process, each fish is:

• Carefully observed and stabilized
• Proactively treated and monitored
• Conditioned onto prepared foods
• Verified to be actively eating and thriving

This extended process significantly reduces stress and increases long-term success, ensuring you receive a fish that is healthy, stable, and truly ready for your reef.

We don’t rush fish to market—every quarantined fish we offer has been given the time it needs to succeed in your aquarium.