Chelmon marginalis

[LemonLemon]

My new C. marginalis! we never get this fish here and this is the first time it appeared in my country.

I've always heard they were a little bit hardier than copperbands. but this guy proved me wrong. he was A MILLION times hardier than copperbands. He was eating live brine in the LFS only after arriving less than 1 day.

When i brought him home, he was feeding like a horse on drugs. I've never seen a chelmon butterfly eat so much. he looks so demure and beautiful but when it comes to feeding, it's so uncouth and greedy.

it even tried eating my pair of tiny clownfishes. but it's mouth was way too small..
really really a great buy and i love his uniqueness. people always think they're just a misbarred copperband but i think they're just in a class of their own. love the silvery body and the amazing beauty.

good for him that he's feeding so well! just some photos to share.

 

[PiXieCath]

Wow! That's an amazing beauty! Congrats lucky you!

 

[LemonLemon]

thanks cath! yah it is a beauty. and i don't know if it's common in the states? but it's the first time my country had it. so i'm pretty excited. I've been waiting for this fish for a long time.

and i'm very happy it's wolfing down so much food.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

Exactly the reason why I will recommend them over Copperbands, they're just soo much easier to keep.

Beautiful fish! `

 

[SkyPapa]

Very nice!

LADD in USA has had them occasionally for a couple of years.

 

[LemonLemon]

aurora - yes. so so much easier. i don't know if it's due to this particular species or because they are better collected out of australia.

skypapa - i hope to see more of these in my country. it's a better alternative to copperbands and it's quite affordable compared to most other upper tiered butterflies

 

[Ian]

I got a 2" a couple weeks ago. It came in VERY skinny but he's fattening up quickly

 

[LemonLemon]

I got a 2" a couple weeks ago. It came in VERY skinny but he's fattening up quickly

wow 2 inch! i don't really like big sized fish so 2-3 inch is my favourite size. The LFS did not have anything smaller than 4 inch...so mine mine is about 4 inch+ and looks big. maybe it will be my show fish.

anyway 2 inch marginalis must be really cute! any pics?

and glad that it's fattening up nicely! from my experience with my one, they won't take long in fattening up! greedy little monsters.

 

[Ian]

Unfortunately I don't think I'm allowed to post pictures outside of my sponsor forum.

I'll PM you a pic....

 

[LemonLemon]

wow ian that's really cute!! i love it's tiny size!

one thing i love about butterflies is their long dorsal spines. makes them a very handsome group of fishes with their armani hairstyle hehe.