| Care Level | Expert |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 120 gallons |
| Max Size | 6 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
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| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2.25 - 3.5" - Australia |
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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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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.
The Goldstripe Butterfly (Chaetodon aureofasciatus) is a high-bodied butterflyfish with a pale, cross-hatched pattern, bright yellow fins, and a bold orange bar through the eye. It’s found on shallow reef habitats in the western Pacific, including northern Australia and nearby regions.
What You’ll Observe:
- Cruises in and out of open water, then returns to a preferred section of rockwork
- Uses short, precise “pecks” as it explores surfaces throughout the day
- Often settles into a consistent daily route once it recognizes feeding times
- May spend time swimming alongside a chosen tankmate when kept as a compatible pair
For best results, provide a mature aquarium with ample live rock structure and steady water conditions. Offer frequent, varied meaty foods so it can graze throughout the day, and keep the feeding routine consistent. This species is naturally adapted to feeding on coral polyps, so it’s best suited to fish-focused displays where its foraging behavior fits the setup.
Will it spend the first few days “mapping” the tank and sticking to one side?
Yes—many keepers describe an initial routine where it patrols one zone repeatedly, then expands its circuit as it settles in.
Is it normal for this fish to follow people at the glass?
Yes—once it associates you with feeding, it often approaches the front panel and tracks movement during its active periods.
Does it recognize a “sleeping spot”?
Often, yes; many butterflyfish choose a consistent nook or sheltered area in the rockwork to hover near as lights dim.
What’s the easiest way to tell if two individuals are pairing versus competing?
Pairing is usually seen as parallel swimming and shared space without posturing; competition looks more like repeated displacement from the same rock face.
Do they tend to pick at one specific rock more than others?
Commonly; hobbyists often report a favorite grazing/inspection area, especially where flow brings food particles past the rockwork.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
