? about Tinker's Butterfly's

[myerst2]

I have had my Tinker's for over 4 months and love this fish. Always on the move, tough as nails, and eats everything. Also the fish is a real beauty and just as hardy as any fish I have kept, especially being a butterfly. My question is about the anal fin. At the end of the anal fin is a long seperated part of the fin that is rather long. I was wondering if this has something to do with the sex of the fish? In other pictures I have seen my guy seems to have a longer anal fin. leading me to believe it's male. Anyone know if this is a sign of sex? i can't get a picture of him extending the anal fin because he is constantly flying around the tank like he just drank 10 red bulls. Tim

 

[John Dawe]

According to MOFIB
"There is no sexual dimorphism or dichromatism in Chaetodontidae."
http://www.marinebreeder.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=910&sid=4bae7f4b11dbeb623e28296c379357b5

 

[jmicky41]

I'm looking at my Mitratus (cousin to your Tinker) now, it seems to have a bit of an extension to it's anal fin also. Normally, it is hard to see because it is held tight to the rest of the fin. When the fish gets excited it juts out.

 

[jnc914]

Tim,

Do you have the Tinker's in with other Butterflies? I am in the process of planning the restocking of my tank and the Tinker's and Declivis Butterfly are top of the list. Doe your exhibit any aggression at all?

 

[myerst2]

I just have the Tinker's but I think, but not positive, that they can be kept with other B-flys as long as they have enough room. I was really close to getting a Wrought Iron but decided against getting it because after doing some research. My biggest concern was temperature. I keep my tank at 76F. , but many said that was too warm for long term success. My next display will be a cooler water display. Tim

 

[John Dawe]

I had a C tinkeri, 2 C millaris and a blue strip in a 50 g tank with not problems, ( a bandit angel and a large hawaiian convit tang).
The only problems are that butterfly are very fast when food goes in the tank and any slower eaters will not get enough food.

 

[flameangel88]

Burgess & Declivis

Burgess & Declivis

Burgess was in first and both are about the same size 3.25-3.5". They don't like each others presence since day 1 but so far no physical harm been done. There's no claimed territory for say as both swims the entire tank but if one swims by the other's path it will get chased.

 

[jnc914]

I am leaning towards getting a declivis butterfly. From what I have read they can handle slightly higher temps (75-78) better than the Tinker's. Is that accurate flameangel88?

 

[flameangel88]

I'd them since May & June and the temp is around 77-79F range. If it wasn't for the ich outbreak (due to intro of a 3" Regal) the temp would have gone down to 75 in anticipation of getting a small bandit. Before I got the chiller in July the temp was hoovering 81.

 

[nismo_32]

i have a declevis and my temp runs 78 all day. have had it for a while and no problems. a friend has a mitratus, tinkers, and declevis all in one tank and they dont even look at each other. does anyone have a problem with any of them picking at any corals.????? especially interested in anyone who keeps a tinkers in a reef since it is my next addition to my reef....

 

[nismo_32]

also has anyone had long term success with a bandit angel???? i know there a deep water angel and needs to be light acclimated as well but any long term success????

 

[John Dawe]

I just hit the 3 yr mark with a Bandit, lower water temps and lower llight levels, the fish is in a 'plan fish tank' not a reef tank.