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Fish

Klein's butterflyfish

Chaetodon kleinii
French name : Poisson-papillon de Klein

Klein's butterflyfish is a marine butterflyfish of the family Chaetodontidae, one of the most widespread butterflyfishes across the Indo-Pacific on coral-rich reefs. It has a golden-yellow to tan body with faint darker bands, a black eye stripe and a black spot on the dorsal fin, an understated pattern compared with flashier relatives. It is a peaceful, active fish that can be kept singly, as a pair or in small groups given enough space, and it adapts to aquarium life more readily than many butterflyfish. A mature reef aquarium with live rock, plenty of swimming room and stable water quality suits it. It is an omnivore that feeds on soft corals, algae and zooplankton in the wild, which makes it one of the hardier butterflyfishes to feed; it accepts mysis, enriched brine shrimp, marine algae and prepared foods. It is not fully reef-safe, as it may nibble soft corals and polyps.

Water
Marine
Origin
Coral reefs, Indo-Pacific
Adult size
14 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Temperament
Peaceful
Difficulty
Intermediate
Klein's butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii)
Illustration

Water parameters

Temperature24 – 27 °C
pH8.1 – 8.4
Carbonate hardness (KH)8 – 12 °dKH
Salinity33 – 35 SG

Tank & stocking

Minimum tank volume250 L
Volume budget per individual 90 L — adds up with tank-mates

“Minimum tank volume” is a reasonable floor, not an absolute limit. The per-individual budget is used by the Aqua app to estimate how heavily a tank is stocked.

Frequently asked questions

What size aquarium does Klein's butterflyfish need?

Provide at least 250 litres to keep Klein's butterflyfish in good conditions.

What water parameters does Klein's butterflyfish need?

A temperature of 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, saltwater.

Is Klein's butterflyfish peaceful or aggressive?

Its temperament is peaceful.

What does Klein's butterflyfish eat?

Its diet: omnivore.

How big does Klein's butterflyfish get?

Around 14 cm as an adult.

Is Klein's butterflyfish suitable for beginners?

Care level: intermediate.

Planning a tank with Klein's butterflyfish?

AquaTender turns these parameters into live advice: it checks whether your tank is big enough, how heavily it's stocked, and whether your fish are compatible — then tracks water tests, photos and maintenance for you.

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Fish from the same biotope

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