butterflies in reefs

[returnofsid]

What an excellent thread! So far, I'm on page 7, reading through this thread to the end. However, I'm jumping to the end quick, to post a question.

I am looking for a fish that WILL eat Zoanthids/Palys, but will NOT bother SPS or a large RBTA.

I have some nasty Palys that have taken over my 200DD and are causing issues with my SPS. I can remove the clams and all LPS if needed but need something that will DEFINITELY eat Zoanthids/Palys.

Any suggestions?

 

[returnofsid]

What an excellent thread! So far, I'm on page 7, reading through this thread to the end. However, I'm jumping to the end quick, to post a question.

I am looking for a fish that WILL eat Zoanthids/Palys, but will NOT bother SPS or a large RBTA.

I have some nasty Palys that have taken over my 200DD and are causing issues with my SPS. I can remove the clams and all LPS if needed but need something that will DEFINITELY eat Zoanthids/Palys.

Any suggestions?

Okay, are there any Butterfly options IF I were to remove the RBTA? This would leave only SPS and the offending Zoanthid/Palys and a few offending Mushrooms that I've love to be rid of.

 

[reefjunkie42]

they will destroy sps from my expirence

 

[pinnatus]

Not a butterfly, but my Moorish Idol definitely eats zoas and palys. I never saw it eat any other corals, but have heard they do. It is now in a fish-only environment so it can't eat anymore corals for me.

 

[SDguy]

Sorry to have to report that the yellow longnose pair has to go!! I've been working a lot, and haven't really sat and watched my tank for any length of time. Today I did. I recently lost a couple euphyllia, including my prized golden hammer. The butterflies definitely munched on it, but I assumed this was after the corals already went down hill. Well, today I see them slowly picking away at the edge of another, perfectly healthy hammer. They also take occasional nips at my chalices, and derasa clam even. I've already removed all my acans because of them. Enough is enough, they are outta here as soon as I can trap them.

 

[tylersarah]

I picked up a Chaetodon Ephippium straight off the fish store delivery truck today, in quarantine he goes! I'm a new butterflyfish mom, if you pros wouldn't mind reading the thread in Reef Fishes I posted about him I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[stuifbol]

Sorry to hear that Peter can't you put them in the new butterfly tank???
PS:some pics of my BF's:thumbsup: still to come pics of Collare and Xantocephalus
grtz Joeri

Sorry to have to report that the yellow longnose pair has to go!! I've been working a lot, and haven't really sat and watched my tank for any length of time. Today I did. I recently lost a couple euphyllia, including my prized golden hammer. The butterflies definitely munched on it, but I assumed this was after the corals already went down hill. Well, today I see them slowly picking away at the edge of another, perfectly healthy hammer. They also take occasional nips at my chalices, and derasa clam even. I've already removed all my acans because of them. Enough is enough, they are outta here as soon as I can trap them.

 

[SDguy]

Sorry to hear that Peter can't you put them in the new butterfly tank???

They originally started in the FO, but didn't compete well with the other butterflies. Maybe I'll try them again in the larger 240.

 

[SDguy]

... they are outta here as soon as I can trap them.

One down, one to go.

 

[SDguy]

One down, one to go.

And both are out!

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

That took an unusually long time for you. :rollface: It must have been frustrating. The fish deserves to go somewhere it has to compete for its food for causing you so much trouble. :lmao:

I am thinking about making a feeding tube with some small holes in it so the yln and cbb can nibble without having to worry abut the other fish eating all of the food up. It might be a good way to keep them fed even if it only was put in the tank a couple of days per week.

 

[SDguy]

That took an unusually long time for you. :rollface:

LOL, I know, right? The smaller one was VERY cautious around the trap... wouldn't even go near it, much less in it, at first. I think it may be because during a previous trapping, it got stuck in the small trap I have

 

[badbrady06]

That sucks about yln. Your tank made me want them. I'm glad I never pulled the trigger now. Your tank is amazing sdguy.

 

[reefjunkie42]

what kind of fish trap do you have?

 

[SDguy]

My normal one is this:
http://www.marinedepot.com/miscellaneous_fish_trap-ap.html

But these butterflies were too big, so I borrowed this DIY one from a local reefer...

 

[SDguy]

I can't believe how much more plump all my LPS look today. LOL, it's amazing what you don't notice when it happens over a long period of time...

 

[stuifbol]

New butterflies:dance: still waiting for Adiergastos and Madagaskariensis:lol2:

 

[SDguy]

Great choices!

 

[stuifbol]

Thnx:beer:

Great choices!

 

[LemonLemon]

i can't believe how much this thread has grown and now there are so many more butterflyfish keepers!

i do not have my tank anymore though but it is darn great to read everyone's experiences so far.