Eastern Talma Butterflyfish

(Chelmonops truncatus)

Chelmonops Butterflyfish should be added to large well established aquariums with plenty of room to swim. They do prefer a cooler aquarium setting. Plenty of rock work should be provided for grazing and hiding. Chelmonops 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. 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. Chelmonops 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 Eastern Talma Butterflyfish is also known as the Truncate Butterflyfish or Truncate Coralfish. Rarely seen in the aquarium trade. Similar to Copperband Butterflyfish in shape however significantly different in color. Eastern Talma Butterflyfish have a dark tan body color with five vertical black stripes. Eastern Talma Butterflyfish can grow to 9".

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