Banded Butterfly
Chaetodon striatus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
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Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 55 gallons |
| Max Size | 6 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Banded Butterfly (Chaetodon striatus) is a bold-patterned butterflyfish with a light body and strong vertical black bands, plus a dark mask through the eye. Its disk-shaped profile and constant “inspection” swimming style make it stand out in fish-only and live-rock displays.
What You’ll Observe:
- Steady cruising along rockwork, stopping often to investigate small cracks and ledges
- A consistent “pecking” routine as it searches surfaces for bite-sized foods
- Most activity during daytime hours, with a regular lap-and-return pattern around the tank
- Calm interactions with non-territorial tankmates once it settles in
To succeed, provide established live rock and plenty of caves/overhangs so it can move in and out of cover while it explores. Offer a variety of meaty marine foods in smaller portions across the day so it can feed naturally and stay engaged.
Is a Banded Butterflyfish the same fish as a Copperband Butterflyfish?
No—“Banded Butterfly” is Chaetodon striatus, while “Copperband” usually refers to Chelmon rostratus, a different species with different feeding behavior.
What foods do hobbyists commonly use to get them started on prepared diets?
Many keepers start with soft, meaty options (like finely chopped seafood or clam) and then mix in frozen items once the fish is eating confidently.
Can they be kept as a pair in home aquariums?
They’re often seen in pairs in nature, and some aquarists keep pairs successfully in larger systems by introducing both fish at the same time.
Do they usually show interest in feather dusters, Christmas tree worms, or similar “decorative worms”?
It’s common for them to investigate tube-worm crowns and similar targets, so plan your display livestock with that natural foraging behavior in mind.
Do they ever “clean” other fish in aquariums?
Some owners report occasional picking at other fish in a way that resembles cleaning, but in most tanks they spend the majority of their time focused on rockwork and feeding.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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