Muelleri Butterflyfish

(Chelmon muelleri)

Chelmon Butterflyfish should be added to large well established aquariums with plenty of room to swim. Plenty of rock work should be provided for grazing and hiding. Chelmon Butterflyfish use their long noses to explore cracks and crevices for food and may pick at soft corals, tube worms, crustaceans and clam mantles if not well fed. This genus of Butterflyfish are also known to readily destroy Aiptasia anemone colonies. However, if other preferred foods are available may ignore the pests. A diet of meaty foods including live fortified Brine and mysis shrimp and black or red worms should be provided. If not readily eating try pressing foods into holes or crevices mimicing their natural feeding habits. Chelmon Butterflyfish are generally considered peaceful however, should be kept singly or a male/female pair and will battle over their territory with others of the same genus.

The Muelleri Butterflyfish is also known as the Blackfin Coralfish. Seen occasionally in the aquarium trade. Muelleri Butterflyfish are white and a dusky dark color highlighted with orange vertical stripes and a black false eyespot. Muelleri Butterflyfish can grow to 7".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 75 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareModerateModerate CareDifficultDifficult
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightMediumMedium