Angel and Butterfly "Reef"

[snorvich]

I know these guys are NOT reef safe but still, I am putting them in with lots of live rock and "whatever they won't eat". In a 350 gallon tank, I have a juvenile Imperator, a juvenile Blue Face, a pair of C. semilarvatus, a small C. mitratus, and a tiny C. marginalis. And a couple fairy wrasses. Plan for later in September is 10 resplendant Anthias who are in quarantine now. What, if any, additional butterfly fish might go in this tank? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[cwoods8]

i'm all for any of the tinkeri species!

 

[SDguy]

I know these guys are NOT reef safe but still, I am putting them in with lots of live rock and "whatever they won't eat". In a 350 gallon tank, I have a juvenile Imperator, a juvenile Blue Face, a pair of C. semilarvatus, a small C. mitratus, and a tiny C. marginalis. And a couple fairy wrasses. Plan for later in September is 10 resplendant Anthias who are in quarantine now. What, if any, additional butterfly fish might go in this tank? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I've gotten away with all sorts of mushrooms, galaxia, and euphyllia, so far. My only issue with the galaxia and euphyllia is that I really didn't want to deal with dosing in my FO...

Many soft corals like colt and sinularia, which I thought would be the most noxious, were apparently also the most tasty to several butterflies

 

[snorvich]

i'm all for any of the tinkeri species!

Do you think they are compatible with C. mitratus?

 

[jimroth]

No experience to share Steve except to say that I would love to set up a system like the one you are doing. Would it be possible to keep C. ephippium? That is a beautiful fish.

 

[snorvich]

No experience to share Steve except to say that I would love to set up a system like the one you are doing. Would it be possible to keep C. ephippium? That is a beautiful fish.

Yes it is. However my many shrimp would be at risk. I have wanted to do this for at least 5 years and now is the chance. I picked my starter group because those fish excite me. I have also looked at C. collare but need someone's opinion about compatibility with my existing crew.

 

[SDguy]

I have a saddleback. What is the concern with it?

I have a collare... very peaceful, and no one seems to bother it either.

 

[Sardaukar]

Zoster Butterfly's and Pyramid Butterfly's are both great fish, fairly hardy, cheap and can live in pairs/groups pretty easily. I'm also a big fan of the Muelleri Butterfly, an Aussie fish that looks a lot like the copperband - its a bit dark/browner but in a very pretty way and these fish are considered much hardier than copperbands. DD usually has one every month or two.

 

[cwoods8]

Do you think they are compatible with C. mitratus?

depending on the size of the C.mitratus, i would make sure that he is smaller than the latter counterparts.

 

[snorvich]

I have a saddleback. What is the concern with it?

I have a collare... very peaceful, and no one seems to bother it either.

A collare is one of my favorites. Dr. F&S says the saddleback tends to eat inverts. I assumed that was shrimp. Am I wrong?

 

[SDguy]

A collare is one of my favorites. Dr. F&S says the saddleback tends to eat inverts. I assumed that was shrimp. Am I wrong?

I'd guess worms and some corals. I think they use the term "invertebrates" pretty broadly. Triggers and butterflies are world apart, but both are probably listed as eating "inverts".

 

[gofor100]

Longnose Butterflyfish, Longnose Butterflyfish, Longnose Butterflyfish...

They are very nice looking fish that don't get enough "pub" out there... had one in my reef-tank a couple years back and all it ate "reef-wise" was the tubefeet of my sandsifting stars (nothing irreparable) and featherdusters...

 

[SDguy]

Agreed. YLN BF are gorgeous. Bright yellow, neat shape, and that dorsal fin is just too cool looking!

 

[dflad]

All my burgess butterflies love mushroom corals, I do not know if that translates to other Tinker like b'flies but it could.

 

[Cantonesefish]

I would definitely pair up the mitratus, and even the marginalis.

I would also recommend P. marcellae

 

[ShellsSD]

My burgess also loves to eat regular mushrooms, however he does not eat not hairy mushrooms or rics (so far anyhow).

 

[scchase]

My angels eat smooth mushrooms as well but leave the hairy ones and Ricordia alone

 

[mrwilson]

A pair of collare would look great with those other fish. (Or, for that matter, with any collection of compatible fish.)

 

[snorvich]

Great ideas everyone. Let me pass one more by you. How does everyone feel about Tinker's?

 

[snorvich]

A pair of collare would look great with those other fish. (Or, for that matter, with any collection of compatible fish.)

Do you have to have a male/female pair? Or will two do?