butterflies in reefs

[Dr Colliebreath]

Some use pcv, some use other small plastic containers like pill containers or plastic Easter eggs. I used one of those plastic combo spoons/ tubes with dosage measurements that come with meds for kids. Drill holes just above the bottom large enough for the longnose and copperband butterfly noses but too small for the other fish. Put food in, hang in the tank with fishing line, and let the fish figure it out.

 

[aquaph8]

The plastic container that come with either the epoxy putty or even brine shrimp eggs works great. I like to glue it to a small mag float to make it easier to get in and out.

 

[flameangel88]

Read a recent article in a fish magazine saying they eat aptasia anemones. It was from a well known person in the hobby, I'll have to get the article and see what the author and details again.

Tim,

Are you talking about the article written by Charles Delbeek in the October issue of Aquarium Fish International? I read that this morning on the train ride. Very little info though.

 

[tcmfish]

That must be it. Yeah not much info. Funny I was also reading it on a train LOL albeit in a different state. I was going to check if it had more info when I had a chance, but looks like you already read it...

 

[flameangel88]

Funny...that was a free subscription liveaquaria gave out during the holiday purchase. Now come to think of it maybe just another 3-4 issues to go.

I'll update after I get them in.

 

[LemonLemon]

ok so there's a very very rare butterfly for sale.

Chaetodon assarius from the waters of West australia.

west australian fishes used to be impossible to obtain but now are slowly trickling in due to collection facilities there. it's the first time i've seen it.

although not very pretty, it's really rare and a must have for any collectors. it's selling for about 170 USD? cheap but i've already had some other thing in mind to spend on with that money.

and best of all, chaetodon assarius is a reef safe planktivore. almost anyway.

 

[SDguy]

Didn't LADD have one a few months back?

 

[LemonLemon]

Didn't LADD have one a few months back?

yep.

with the opening up of the western australia side, we get to see some cool fishes like assarius butterfly, rainfordia opercularis, lennard's wrasse.

they're slowly becoming more available but still pretty rare at this stage.

 

[SDguy]

So what is on your radar instead of this fish?

 

[LemonLemon]

a false shepardi.

i want another one to create a pair with the current one i have.

but it's not jsut any false shepardi. this one is gorgeous and looks.....very unique and different from the ones that normally come

 

[Allmost]

Hello to butterfly loving community of RC

so I wanted to get a pair of golden butterfly, from the Red Sea.

can you guys tell me about these guys ? aggression ? how much SPS and clams do they consume ?

I have a SPS tank, 200G, with a moorish Idol and an anchilles tang, purple and blue tang in it. ... full of SPS and clams .

the pair I am looking at is already eating, and have been at a show tank for about 4 months now. what would be a fair price ?

appreciate any help

 

[LemonLemon]

ooohhh semilarvatus (golden butterflies) are quite destructive.

i dont think it is a good idea.

 

[Allmost]

ooohhh semilarvatus (golden butterflies) are quite destructive.

i dont think it is a good idea.

ahhh okay appreciate that. the pair are in a FOWLR currently. beautiful fish though :S and even nicer since they are mated pair and swim together.


then I guess I will have to go with a copperband butterfly.

thank you again

 

[Allmost]

sorry, another question .... lol

how about Mitratus Butterfly ?? are they less destructive ?

sorry ! I try to find info on these online, and just cant find any valuable info.

 

[aquaph8]

sorry, another question .... lol

how about Mitratus Butterfly ?? are they less destructive ?

sorry ! I try to find info on these online, and just cant find any valuable info.

Yep. Check out Lemon's reply a couple pages back about the roaps familly of butterflies. Im sure Lemon will tell you all about them though.

 

[LemonLemon]

sorry, another question .... lol

how about Mitratus Butterfly ?? are they less destructive ?

sorry ! I try to find info on these online, and just cant find any valuable info.

mitratus butterfly is far less destructive.

they are very easy fish that eat everything from the get go. but they are also very curious and nippy.

bear in mind they will nip your SPS. but at the slime. they are probably unable to get to the polyps once the SPS retract them anyway, and they most certainly cannot eat the SPS flesh unless the SPS is dying or unhealthy.

i have a mitratus and a declivis and both are well fed enough to leave all my coral alone.

i would say go for it but expect some risk. although not very high, there's still certain risk involved.

but mitratus is far safer than semilarvatus.

 

[JoshuaG]

There is a beautiful Mitratus on DD, I'm surprised it's still there. I'm trying to figure out a way to slip it past my wife.

 

[JoshuaG]

My two new DD Butterfly's. The long nose came in a little skinny but he is already going to town on mysis and brine, picked up some fresh scallop last night I will try as well.

 

[SDguy]

My two new DD Butterfly's. The long nose came in a little skinny but he is already going to town on mysis and brine, picked up some fresh scallop last night I will try as well.

Gorgeous specimens!

 

[HiImSean]

My two new DD Butterfly's. The long nose came in a little skinny but he is already going to town on mysis and brine, picked up some fresh scallop last night I will try as well.

lol love the sponge bob and pineapple