Butterfly fishes and Reef Aquariums??

Pike614 · 03/02/2007, 05:14 PM

Hello! I am looking for advice on adding butterfly fish to my reef aquarium. I have heard and read mixed reports on butterflies and reef systems with corals and inverts......Are there any particular species of Butterflies that would be "reef safe" for a 75g reef w/a variety of Hard and soft corals?
Thanks!

boxfishpooalot · 03/02/2007, 05:25 PM

Being since their diet consists of coral polyps, would you want to chance it? There are other nice fish that are reef safe. Royal grammas, tangs, ect.

SDguy · 03/03/2007, 06:07 PM

Look into pyramid, zoster, black and white heniochus (forgot which one is reef safe and which i not) butterflies. They are going to be your safest bet. Then the chelmon species...

andyjd · 03/03/2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SDguy
Look into pyramid, zoster, black and white heniochus (forgot which one is reef safe and which i not) butterflies. They are going to be your safest bet. Then the chelmon species...

Heniochus diphreutes is the "safer" one

mcurl98 · 03/03/2007, 10:09 PM

I have a Copperband as do many people I know. I've never seen them bother any corals. They will eat all your feather dusters though.

Rhodesholar · 03/03/2007, 10:47 PM

I have a Millet Seed and I have no problems. I keep Acros and Montis and he couldn't care less.

alanscott · 03/03/2007, 11:03 PM

I had a pyramid butterfly and it was no problem at all. It did not bother anything in my tank, and is a beautiful fish. and mine ate anything I put into the tank

alanscott · 03/03/2007, 11:03 PM

I had a pyramid butterfly and it was no problem at all. It did not bother anything in my tank, and is a beautiful fish. Mine ate anything I put into the tank

AfAqua · 03/04/2007, 01:08 AM

I've even noticed Pearlscales in some recent pics.

Pike614 · 03/04/2007, 07:50 AM

I have done more research and decided to get another tank and make it a "fish only" tank. I know a copperband would be okay in a reef....as long as I do not have clams, but I am not willing to risk coming home from work with an expensive coral ruined because of a $50 butterfly!! ( I've got mostly soft corals)
Thanks for the feedback.

03/02/2007, 05:14 PM	#1
Pike614 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,303	Butterfly fishes and Reef Aquariums?? Hello! I am looking for advice on adding butterfly fish to my reef aquarium. I have heard and read mixed reports on butterflies and reef systems with corals and inverts......Are there any particular species of Butterflies that would be "reef safe" for a 75g reef w/a variety of Hard and soft corals? Thanks!

03/02/2007, 05:25 PM	#2
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	Being since their diet consists of coral polyps, would you want to chance it? There are other nice fish that are reef safe. Royal grammas, tangs, ect. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

03/03/2007, 06:07 PM	#3
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Look into pyramid, zoster, black and white heniochus (forgot which one is reef safe and which i not) butterflies. They are going to be your safest bet. Then the chelmon species... __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

03/03/2007, 10:09 PM	#5
mcurl98 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 615	I have a Copperband as do many people I know. I've never seen them bother any corals. They will eat all your feather dusters though. __________________ -Matt Current Tank Info: tankless

03/03/2007, 10:47 PM	#6
Rhodesholar Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Crivitz Wi Posts: 754	I have a Millet Seed and I have no problems. I keep Acros and Montis and he couldn't care less.

03/03/2007, 11:03 PM	#7
alanscott Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fresno, Calif Posts: 155	I had a pyramid butterfly and it was no problem at all. It did not bother anything in my tank, and is a beautiful fish. and mine ate anything I put into the tank

03/04/2007, 01:08 AM	#9
AfAqua Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: South Africa Posts: 110	I've even noticed Pearlscales in some recent pics.

03/04/2007, 07:50 AM	#10
Pike614 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,303	I have done more research and decided to get another tank and make it a "fish only" tank. I know a copperband would be okay in a reef....as long as I do not have clams, but I am not willing to risk coming home from work with an expensive coral ruined because of a $50 butterfly!! ( I've got mostly soft corals) Thanks for the feedback.