150 Butterfly tank... opinions/ feedback

[OneArmedBandit]

I'm looking for a little advice from those of you who have owned and observed the behavior of a couple of different Butterfly Fish.

My current system consists of a 145 gal. display (72x18x27) and a 75 gal. sump (about 50 gal. actual water volume). I have well over 300 lbs of Live Rock between the display and sump with a lot of archways and hiding places in the rockwork for the fish to have somewhere to hide when needed. I've planned this tank as a FOWLR from the start but do have a few fish that I'd like to remove since I just tossed them in after taking down another tank.

I'd like to dedicate this tank to a few different Buterflies, I already have a Lemon Butterfly (c. milliaris) in the tank with a Golden Midas Blenny (who will stay in this tank), a pair of Firefish, an Ocilaris Clown and a Flame Fin Tang (all of which will find a new home). I also have a Pearlscale Butterfly (c. xanthurus) in quarantine for a couple more weeks before it goes into the display since it's a new purchase.

My main concerns are obviously about compatibility, I've done a lot of research on Butterflies and think I have my "œwant" list narrowed down but I'm looking for your personal experiences"¦

The Lemmon that I already have is very peaceful and doesn't mind it's current tank mates. It eats frozen mysis, flake and NLS pellets like a champ since day one of being in my tank.

The Pearlscale that I recently purchased is being treated with Formalin for Marine Black Spot Disease in my QT since I noticed the parasite after bringing the fish home. The spots seem to be fading and the orange color on this fish seems to be getting more vibrant so I think the Formalin treatments are doing their job quite well. This fish was eating brine shrimp when I got it home but I quickly got it eating mysis (PE mysis is a BIG hit with this guy), I haven't tried pellet or flake yet but it tears up the mysis and eats every one I put in the tank.

I'd like to also add a Blackback (c. melannotus), a Saddleback (c. ephippium) and or a Golden/ Addis (c. semilarvatus) Butterfly in the future, these are the ones I'm looking for your feedback on. I'd like to have unique Butterflies in this aquarium so if there are any other fairly peaceful ones out there don't be afraid to make a suggestion.

I appreciate all of your help and look forward to your feedback.

 

[RegalAngel]

I can only comment about the Golden Butterfly and even this is limited since I have only had it about 6 weeks with 4 1/2 of those in QT. It is in a 300g FO tank with similar size Powder Blue and Purple Tangs, and holds its own when it comes to eating. All three are in the 3 1/2 - 4 inch size range.

I feed them frozen brine & mysis shrimp, freeze dried mysis and the Golden gets plenty from the hoggish tangs. It does not care for flakes...so far, but when I place a section of Green Marine Algae on a clip for the tangs, it will peck away and eat this seaweed! It will eat freeze dried blood worms, and it likes to pick off the top of the water..tangs not so good at that.

Not agressive at all, and an active fish...it's a winner.

 

[evilspaz]

RegalAngel, That's an awesome tank, love the granite stand.

 

[pktech]

How about a collare aka: pakistani butterfly - they are my favorite

 

[OneArmedBandit]

I've given thought to a c. collare (I really like the red coloring on them) since my LFS always seems to have them in stock but I have a black background in my display and I think the overall collor of the fish may blend in too much... -Steve

 

[WuHT]

You could easily get away with 5+ butterflies and the blenny/clowns.

Obviously only purchase if the butterfly is eating.. which for me was kinda sad as i had a saddleback eat @ the store and in my QT.. but didnt' eat in my display tank though no one really bothered him.

Personally i really like the way butterfly eat.. not face first pigs like triggers or tangs.

 

[Blownsvt]

i can only speak to experience with the double saddle butterfly. Mine gets along great with all the other fish although they are not other species of butterflies. He is a beautiful fish and one of my favorites. I did have one for several months and then one day he just up and died. No idea why since he had no signs of parasites and always ate really well. i replaced him though and the new one is doing well.

my current one.

 

[Big E]

The Bf's you have listed should do fine together. Make sure you QT every one of them.

 

[OneArmedBandit]

I'm definately a fan of QTing my fish. I never had before I got the Pearlscale but decided to get the QT going before I brought the fish home, glad I did or I'd be dealing with a major problem in the display right now. I will ALWAYS QT new additions!

Same thing with eating, I always make sure a fish is eating in the store before I purchase it, not that it garantees anything but it's a good start. I also tend to research the living daylights out of anything I'm interested in purchasing, I've never made an impulse buy at the LFS and don't planning on ever doing so.

I actually had a beautiful Copperband that ate everything I put in the tank (food wise) that I lost to a faulty thermostat in my house that took the internal temp of my house up to 108 degrees for two days while I was on vacation, needless to say it took out my 40 gal. reef and the worlds best Copperband. I'd like to get another Copperband but with all the horror stories of people not being able to get that fish to eat, I'm not sure if I want to risk it.

-Steve

 

[Chihuahua6]

What about Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish? They do well in groups too. I had three and just loved them. They eat a tremendous amount of food though and should be treated for flukes. Once they're fluke free they're very hardy and peaceful.