Beaked coralfish

About

Found on the coastal reefs and estuaries of Queensland and more recently spotted along the northwestern Australian coastline, Chelmon mulleri is a butterflyfish that bucks the typical image of its family. While most butterflyfishes are closely associated with clear coral-rich waters, this species is equally at home over algae-covered substrates and silty, turbid bottoms. The kind of habitat that most reef fish avoid. It grows to a respectable size for its family and is typically encountered in bonded pairs, a social pattern that also shows up during spawning. Like its relatives, it picks at small bottom-dwelling invertebrates, using that elongated snout to probe crevices and surface films for prey. That feeding style translates directly to aquarium life: any tank housing snails, small shrimp, or other delicate invertebrates is going to be at risk, so this is firmly a fish-only or fish-only-with-live-rock setup. It is manageable for an intermediate keeper with the space to house it properly. A large system is a genuine requirement here. Captive diet should focus on meaty foods that replicate what it hunts in the wild. The pairing behavior seen in nature makes it an interesting candidate for a species display if you can source a compatible pair.