Klein's Butterflyfish

Klein's Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii) — also known as the Yellow Butterflyfish, Sunburst Butterflyfish, or Brown Butterflyfish — is widely regarded as one of the hardiest and most beginner-friendly members of the butterflyfish family. Its warm golden-yellow body is accented by two soft brown vertical bands, a black eye stripe, and subtle iridescent highlights that catch the light beautifully under reef lighting. While less flashy than some of its cousins, Klein's makes up for it with personality, hardiness, and an exceptional track record in captivity.

Native to the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, this species is found across a wide range of reef habitats from shallow lagoons to deeper outer reef slopes. Unlike many butterflyfish that specialize in eating coral polyps and starve in captivity, Klein's is an omnivorous generalist that readily accepts virtually any aquarium food — mysis, brine shrimp, marine flake, pellets, frozen formulas, and even nori. This dietary flexibility is the single biggest reason Klein's succeeds where other butterflies fail, and it's why this species is consistently recommended as the gateway butterflyfish for hobbyists ready to try the family for the first time.

Klein's Butterflyfish are classified as reef safe with caution. While they generally ignore most stony corals, they may sample soft corals, zoanthids, polyps, or clam mantles, especially if underfed. Risk varies by individual — some specimens are completely trustworthy in mixed reefs, others are not. Provide a minimum of 75 gallons with plenty of live rock, open swimming space, and peaceful tankmates. They are generally peaceful with all but their own kind and do best either solo or as a confirmed pair in larger systems.

At Ocean To You, every fish is quarantined and observed before sale. We don't sell sick fish.