Banded butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Butterbun, Portuguese butterfly, School mistress, Banded mariposa
Family
Chaetodontidae (butterflyfishes)
Origin
Tropical western Atlantic from Massachusetts to southern Brazil, incl. Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Bermuda; coral reefs mostly under 20 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
16 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
300 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
no

Care

300 litres is an estimate from its size. Water figures given here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and a specific gravity of 1.023–1.026. Keep nitrate low and water quality stable. Usually alone or in pairs, sometimes in shoals of about 20. White with bold dark vertical bands that break up its outline. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern; collection for the aquarium trade is not thought to affect its stable population. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaetodonstriatus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats small invertebrates, crustaceans, coral polyps, bristle and tube worms, anemones, eggs and plankton, and sometimes cleans parasites from other fish. In captivity offer mysis, chopped shellfish and worms.

Breeding

Not described in the sources.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful with other fish. Not reef safe: it eats coral polyps, anemones and tubeworms.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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