The Margined Butterflyfish is a close relative of the Copperband and shares its elegant, long-snouted profile. Its body is primarily a brilliant white, marked by vertical yellow-orange bands; however, unlike the Copperband, the Margined typically lacks the dark "eye spot" on the dorsal fin as it matures and has slightly wider spacing between its bands. Found primarily in the waters of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, it is a hardy alternative to its Copperband cousin. It is an expert at picking small crustaceans out of tight crevices in the rockwork and is frequently used to naturally manage populations of small pests in larger systems.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Scientific Name |
Chelmon marginalis |
| Colour |
White with vertical yellow/orange bands. |
| Shape |
Discoid with a very long snout. |
| Location |
NW Australia (WA) / Northern Territory. |
| Diet |
Carnivore (Small crustaceans/Benthic life). |
| Water Temp |
24°C – 28°C. |
| Temperament |
Peaceful. |
| Aquarium Size |
280 – 350 Litres. |
| Reef Safe? |
With Caution. |