Sunburst Butterfly - Chaetodon Kleinii

Sunburst Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii)

The Sunburst Butterflyfish, Chaetodon kleinii, is a hardy and attractive marine butterflyfish, recognised for its warm yellow to golden-brown body, pale facial area, dark eye band and soft sunburst-style colouration. Also known as Klein’s Butterflyfish or the Black-Lipped Butterflyfish, this species is one of the more adaptable butterflyfish in the aquarium trade and can make a beautiful addition to mature marine aquariums. It is active, elegant and usually easier to feed than many more specialist butterflyfish, but it should still be treated as reef safe with caution because it may nip some corals, anemones, tube worms and other sessile invertebrates.

Common Name:
Sunburst Butterflyfish, Klein’s Butterflyfish, Kleins Butterflyfish, Black-Lipped Butterflyfish, Blacklip Butterflyfish, Orange Butterflyfish.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Chaetodon kleinii

Maximum Size:
Around 14–15 cm, making it a medium-sized butterflyfish that requires good swimming space and long-term planning.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found widely across the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, East Africa, Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Australia, Japan, Hawaii and surrounding tropical reef regions. In the wild, Sunburst Butterflyfish inhabit deeper lagoons, channels, seaward reefs, rocky reefs and coral-rich areas. They are usually seen singly or in pairs, moving through reef structure while grazing, picking at small foods and feeding from the water column.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Peaceful to semi-aggressive. Sunburst Butterflyfish are usually manageable in suitable marine aquariums and can be kept with many peaceful to moderately robust tank mates. They may be shy when first introduced, but often become more confident once settled and feeding well. Avoid housing with very aggressive fish, fin nippers or overly boisterous feeders while the butterflyfish is settling.

Diet:
Omnivorous. In the wild, this species feeds on soft coral polyps, algae, zooplankton and other small reef foods. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, chopped clam, mussel, cockle, prawn, squid, quality marine pellets, flakes, sponge-based preparations and algae-based foods. Several smaller feeds per day are ideal, especially while newly introduced specimens are adapting to aquarium foods.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical minimum of around 300–400 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for long-term adult care. Provide open swimming space, mature rockwork, caves, stable water quality and strong filtration.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time cruising around the aquarium, inspecting rockwork and picking at surfaces for food. It may explore both open swimming areas and sheltered reef structure, especially once settled. Sunburst Butterflyfish are often less specialised than many coral-feeding butterflyfish, which can make them more adaptable in aquariums, but they still need stable conditions and regular feeding. A secure lid is recommended, as startled marine fish can jump.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Sunburst Butterflyfish may be kept in some reef aquariums, but individual behaviour varies. They may nip soft corals, LPS corals, zoanthids, anemones, feather dusters, tube worms, clam mantles and other sessile invertebrates. They are sometimes used by aquarists for Aiptasia control, but this does not guarantee reef safety. They are best suited to fish-only systems, FOWLR aquariums or carefully planned reefs where the aquarist accepts the risk.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature marine aquarium with stable water quality, peaceful tank mates and plenty of rockwork for security. Although generally considered one of the hardier and more adaptable butterflyfish, new specimens should still be observed carefully to ensure they are feeding well. Offer a varied diet from the start and avoid aggressive tank mates during the settling period. Monitor closely in reef aquariums, especially around soft corals, LPS, clams, anemones and tube worms.

Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Regularly available in the marine aquarium trade / Availability can vary depending on collection, import, size and supplier

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.