Margined Coralfish (Chelmon marginalis)
Fish in the family Chaetodontidae. Moderate care. Reef Safe with Caution.
Quick facts
Appearance
The Margined Coralfish is a small, disc-shaped butterflyfish with a predominantly white to pale yellow body. It features bold black or dark brown stripes and margins along the dorsal and anal fins, and a distinctive dark band across the eye. The species has the characteristic compressed body shape typical of the Chaetodontidae family.
Diet and feeding
Feeds primarily on small crustaceans, zooplankton, and coral polyps in the wild. In captivity, offer a varied diet of high-quality frozen foods (mysis shrimp, brine shrimp), finely chopped seafood, and quality flake foods. Feed multiple small portions daily.
Difficulty and care for the Margined Coralfish
A moderately challenging species for intermediate aquarists. Chelmon marginalis requires stable water conditions, established live rock, and careful acclimation. It can be sensitive to disease and starvation if not fed appropriate live or meaty foods frequently.
Common health issues
Ich, marine velvet, poor appetite, malnutrition if not fed adequate small foods
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region from Indonesia and the Philippines westward through the Great Barrier Reef to the Indian Ocean.
Log Margined Coralfish in your reef tank
Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Margined Coralfish alongside everything else in your reef.
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