Atlantic longnose butterfly in a reef

[n8ureman]

Does anyone here keep the Atlantic longnose butterfly (Prognathodes aculeatus) in their reef? And if so, is there anything in the tank that it messed with? My tank is mostly SPS, however I do have Xenia, and other soft corals.

 

[rachenbrazil]

I had one similar to atl longnose (Prognatoides braziliensis) long time ago, will not bother corals, but will finish your pods , worms and feather duster population. If unfed , may attack lps corals like open brain ... but never saw it attack sps or softies (I had him for 3 years).

 

[michael_cb_125]

I too have kept the P. braziliensis, and agree with rachenbrazil about the feeding habits of these fish. Feather dusters, worms and the like will surely be devoured. Fleshy LPS corals may be in danger as well.

~Michael

 

[philter4]

That is one of my favorite fish, see my avitar, and I have kept them in reefs many times. None of mine bothered corals, but they will destroy any worms you have, feather dusters, coco worms, or any ornamental worm will be history, they will also bother shrimp, I have not had trouble with cleaner type shrimp, but even big non cleaner type shrimp are fair game and if they can't eat it whole they will either wait until it sheds and is soft or bash it against the LR until it breaks up into small pieces. On that note, they are still one of my favorite fish and I highly recomend them.

 

[smb2]

I used to think they were only a deep water fish but see them at all depths now. They seem to graze on everything , soft and hard corals, dusters and an occasional nip at an anemone.