Saltwater Fish
Klein's Butterflyfish.
Klein's butterflyfish is considered one of the most reef-tolerant butterflyfish because it grazes heavily on algae and zooplankton rather than living entirely on coral polyps like many of its relatives.
We keep this species at our Erie store. Come and see it in the tanks, or call (814) 456-9445 and ask what we have in right now.
Sea Cave keeps this species. You will find these in the tanks at 660 East 14th Street in Erie. We never ship live animals.
- Condition
- new
- Fulfillment
- Local pickup — Erie, PA
We never ship fish, coral, or invertebrates — every animal here is one you meet in person. Each one is acclimated and health-checked in-house before it goes out into the display tanks. This is a species we keep, and what is swimming on any given day changes with the deliveries, so please call (814) 456-9445 before you drive in.
Care at a glance
What to know before you take one home.
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Adult size
- 6"
- Min tank size
- 120 gallons
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Scientific name
- Chaetodon kleini
Good tank mates
One of the calmer, more peaceful butterflyfish, Klein's mixes well with tangs, wrasses, larger gobies, and other gentle reef and fish-only tankmates, and is usually fine in a group only if introduced together. Avoid very aggressive fish that will bully it and avoid keeping it with prized ornamental shrimp, feather dusters, and soft corals or LPS (large-polyp stony) polyps it may sample. Multiple butterflyfish in one tank can squabble, so plan space and cover.
Good to know
Klein's butterflyfish is considered one of the most reef-tolerant butterflyfish because it grazes heavily on algae and zooplankton rather than living entirely on coral polyps like many of its relatives.
What is in the tanks and each animal's temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for pairing advice.
Good tankmates
Plays well with.
Species we’d keep in the same tank, with why each pairing works. What is in the tanks and each animal’s temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for advice on pairing.
New to stocking a tank? Read our guide on which fish live together.
Ultra Black Ice
Genuinely peaceful, non-territorial, and widely kept alongside Klein's butterflyfish in FOWLR (fish-only-with-live-rock) and community marine setups. No size mismatch, diet conflict, or aggression risk. One of the safest possible additions.
Yellow Tang
Herbivorous and peaceful toward non-similar species; territorial disputes are Zebrasoma-on-Zebrasoma, not toward butterflyfish. Documented in the same WetWebMedia community tank with Klein's butterflyfish.
Sailfin Tang
Semi-aggressive behavior is directed at other tangs (especially same-genus Zebrasoma), not at butterflyfish. Documented in the same WetWebMedia hobbyist tank with Klein's butterflyfish. A large system (150+ gal) is required but aligns with Klein's own minimum.
- P
Pacific Blue Tang
Non-aggressive toward non-tangs; confirmed in a WetWebMedia-documented 180-gallon FOWLR with Klein's butterflyfish alongside a yellow tang and sailfin tang. Shares the large-tank requirement that Klein's already demands.
- Y
Yellowtail Damselfish
Among the least aggressive damselfish species; multiple sources rate it substantially calmer than other damsels. WetWebMedia's Klein's butterflyfish article documents a 180-gallon tank running two yellowtail damsels alongside Klein's butterflyfish without incident. Still requires a large, well-aquascaped tank with ample hiding spots to prevent the damsel from claiming the whole territory.
Visit the store
660 East 14th Street,
Erie, PA.
Mon–Fri 12–6 · Sat 11–4 · Sun closed. Call ahead on livestock — what's on the floor rotates.