anemones and Butterflys?

[jefathome]

I know that Butterfly's are not "REEF" safe, but what about with an anemone?
I can't see the butterfly nipping at something with such a "punch".

Specificly a Copperband or Long-nose with a Condy/atlantic anemone.

 

[shamen74]

Or how about any anenome (that will host) with a Pearlscale butterflyfish? I've noticed my current and past butterflys have always been snatching anteana's off snails :mad2: , and anything that wiggles, but it seems possible that an anenome would be of much less interest.

Anyone?

 

[vgibbens]

I kept a Copperband with my two RBTAs without any problems. He did clear away all the aptasia and pick at the Xenia from time to time, but never bothered the anemones.

 

[shamen74]

That's great feedback! Anyone else have experience?

 

[COreefer]

The LFS here keeps a pair of Goldens with a carpet anemone...no problems at all.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Re: anemones and Butterflys?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7565760#post7565760 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jefathome
I know that Butterfly's are not "REEF" safe, but what about with an anemone?
I can't see the butterfly nipping at something with such a "punch".

Specificly a Copperband or Long-nose with a Condy/atlantic anemone.

Making generalizations about Butterflyfishes or anemones can result in problems. Anemones are a staple in the diets of certain Butterflyfishes. In fact, some Butterflyfishes need to be fed live anemones in captivity to initiate a feeding response. Clownfishes view a Butterflyfish as a potential anemone eater and will usually try to drive them off.
Certain Butterflyfishes will only prey upon certain types of anemones. (ie: the Copperband Butterflyfish will usually attack Aiptasia but leave large host anemones alone.)
Other Butterflyfish will attack any anemone they can.
Some Butterflys don't eat anemones.

 

[SDguy]

Personal experience...auriga and ulietensis will eat anemones...and downright devour them (at least condy and BTA). Copperband didn't touch any large anemones. Yellow Long Nose also didn't seem to show interest, but I didn't have him too long, so can't say for sure.

hth

PS - I also agree that you may have problems if you have clowns hosting in the anemone, as they may get especially aggressive towards the butterfly.