Best butterfly for an active reef tank?

[Rea17]

I'm about to upgrade to a 520g reef and I want to be able to have softies, LPS, and some SPS - no clams or featherdusters. However, I do like my ornamental shrimp. Currently have 3 large cleaner shrimp and 2 large harlequins. Snails and conches would be nice also.

Right now I'm looking into yellow longnose, yellow pyramid, copperband, and diphreutes.

Which of these species will fare best alone? In groups? In a reef environment? With active tankmates? Size IS a factor, and LA lists them all to get around 7-8." Is this an accurate size for captive life? Any and all input is appreciated. Share your experiences, opinions, etc. Also, if I missed a must-have species feel free to chime in. Thanks in advance!

 

[pktech]

Didn't think they were reef safe ... I like the copper band or Longnose personally - my fave is a Melannotus but can't keep one alive (eat for that matter)

 

[Rea17]

There are exceptions to every "not reef safe" fish The Melannotus is a pretty one, his shape makes him look like a coral eater though.

 

[pktech]

HA! probably why I can't get one to eat, fowlr here ... SDguy is the man to bounce ideas off ... that tank is gonna be awesome!

 

[Rea17]

Thanks I'm really excited about it! I want to add some variety to my tang gang with the butterfly additions. I'm leaning towards the longnose/copperband - they seem to not get as obnoxiously large as the diphreutes but still have a very unique look.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Check out the Yellow Pyramid Butterfly. I'm trying to hunt down a couple right now. Not a popular fish, but appears to be quite hardy, and does better as long as there is more than one (but you don't have to have a large school of them)...

 

[SDguy]

I like yellow pyramids and zosters both. Great looking fish.

 

[Paul B]

I have been keeping copperbands in my tank since the 70s. My favorite fish. Here is a short video eating worms

 

[Rea17]

Are Zosters just as safe as the Yellow Pyramids? I really love the coloration on them, but the shape isn't as "out there" as some other safe-ish butterflies. Would I need to keep at least 3 in order for them to feel secure?

Nice video, that copperband is quite the eater!

 

[SDguy]

Are Zosters just as safe as the Yellow Pyramids? I really love the coloration on them, but the shape isn't as "out there" as some other safe-ish butterflies. Would I need to keep at least 3 in order for them to feel secure?

I kept a single zoster and he was fine alone. His only issue was he liked to nip at gorg polyps. I doubt pyramids are any different. But like any butterfly, each specimen will be different, and you'll probably never get 100% reef safe, especially in a more diverse mixed reef.

What sort of reef do you have (size and inhabitants)?

 

[Nemeziz_za]

Hi,

Im keeping 2 Yellow Pyramid Butterflies in a mixed reef with gorgonians and they are model citizens.

Definitely recommend these fish to anyone keeping a reef and looking for something out of the ordinary.

 

[Rea17]

Right now I have everything in a 6' 210 mixed reef, and then a couple of holding/quarantine tanks (90g, 50g, 45g). As far as inhabitants go...

Corals: leathers, zoas, xenia, mushrooms, euphyllias, acros, a photosynthetic gorgonian, gsp, chalice, and monti cap.

Fish: Tangs (Yellow, Purple, Fowleri, Achilles, Blonde Naso, Lieutenant, Desjardini), Maldives Lyretail Anthias, green Chromis, female Bipartitus, Navarchus Angel, Quoyi Parrot, Bicolor Foxface, male Blue Jaw Trigger

I will not be adding anything until I upgrade to my 520, which is just under 4'x8.' The tank should be running in a month. I was considering making the butterflies the first addition so they have a chance to establish themselves and get comfortable. I'm a little worried about my Achilles or purple being rowdy with new fish, they are both pretty big.

 

[Nemeziz_za]

Probably not a bad idea to intro them first if you have the opportunity.

I introduced my pair of yellow Pyramids after 5 yellow tangs, 1 Sohal tang, 1 Chevron tang, 1 Purple tang, 1 Sailfin Tang.

Only the Yellow tangs came to inspect, but that lasted all of 2 minutes and everything went back to normal.

Here is a quick snap from my phone today.

 

[Rea17]

Very beautiful. I am also planning on adding a group of yellow tangs when the new tank goes up. What size tank are they all getting along in?

So pairs work alright for the pyramids? I have never had butterflies before, my expertise is with tangs. I'm still learning who does best alone/pairs/groups over 3/etc Honestly after seeing everyone's lovely butterflies I wouldn't mind having a pair of a couple different species.

 

[Vlado4x4]

I have been keeping copperbands in my tank since the 70s. My favorite fish. Here is a short video eating worms

Could you tell me whta type of worm you give and where do you buy it from ? Trying to get the most accurate here in Argentina, where i´m from.

Do you clean them with RO/Di ?

Thanks

 

[lilalove]

I have been keeping copperbands in my tank since the 70s. My favorite fish. Here is a short video eating worms

I love how the little yellow fish (clown goby, I think?) is having a real hard time sucking down that one worm. :lol:

I have a copperband and it hasn't bothered anything in a mixed reef.

The worms PaulB is feeding are blackworms. I feed them to my CBB as well, though it does eat clam, mysis, frozen foods in general and even the occasional piece of nori.

 

[Paul B]

That is correct, blackworms. I get them at an LFS as they are common here in NY. You can get them online but you have to order to many of them. I also feed the tank white worms that I raise. I ordered a culture of them online and they reproduce very fast.
I just googled white worm culture.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

How often do you clean your worms? Its a daily routine, isn't it? At least I think I read that somewhere.

 

[Paul B]

I never clean the worms, They are in water and stay clean. If you keep them in a refrigerator, which I do not, you need to rinse them in tap water every day. I built a worm keeper. There are pictures of it on here someplace.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Aaaaah.... Gotcha. I knew there was some catch. Thanks for explaining...