Butterflies

[MMM33732]

I don't see too many butterfly fish in reef tanks. I've also heard most are hard to get eating. I had 2 back when I was first starting saltwater that didn't make it, but I assumed it was my fault from lack of knowledge and proper techniques.But that was years ago. Any tricks to keeping them?

 

[snorvich]

Many butterfly fish will eat and many of those will eat your corals. That is why not many people keep them. There are some, however, who value their butterfly fish over their corals; there are some really gorgeous butterfly fish available e.g. C. semilarvatus who will eat.

 

[SDguy]

Wetwebmedia.com has a pretty good breakdown of which butterflies do well in captivity and which do not.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Goodchaetodon.htm

As Steve said, unfortunately most all the ones that do well will do VERY WELL on a diet of mixed reef corals

 

[MMM33732]

Well that explains it. Thanks.

 

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12594182#post12594182 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
There are some, however, who value their butterfly fish over their corals; there are some really gorgeous butterfly fish available e.g. C. semilarvatus who will eat.

Hehe...I was one of them. Well I didn't have that much to begin with and none of the expensive ones. They finished eating all the corals in 2 days.

Then I went on and added a pair of burgessi

No regret just have to start up another tank.

When my wife lets me.

 

[forddna]

flame, same here, but it's my husband!

 

[Monstrigity]

Not to play match maker.............. but I know how you two could solve that problem.

 

[snorvich]

If I could get away with it, I would start another large tank devoted to very specific angelfish and butterflies. Perhaps a Imperator, a blueface, a scribbled, and a shoal of C. semilarvatus. I would be happy with a nice 200 g but then I would have to convince my wife that I had not gone completely nutso.

 

[flameangel88]

forddna:
when you get to add the second tank please let me know how you managed to convince your hubby.

Monstrigity:
I know we have a few reefers here on RC willing to trade their spouses in for another tank.

snorvich:
I just came across someone with a 6' tank they want to get rid of and I said I'll take it but need sometime to move it. Without the second tank my wife already think I'm nuts.
btw-- scribbled is the only angel I don't have on your angel list but in its place I've the personifer. You'll definitely love the angel & butty tank.

 

[ariel47]

Forddna, I feel your pain. My husband gets a attitude when I mention getting another tank. But since he just bought a 1970 nova to restore, the new tank addition is looking promising.

 

[Amoore311]

How about a Copperband Butterfly?

Reason I ask is because Vermetid Snails are increasing in my tank and I hate these damn things.

CBB was the only "natural" solution to rid my tank of these.

 

[glassbox-design]

Flame,

Do you mind sharing the source on the Burgess pair? Where they purchased together?

 

[flameangel88]

YGPM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12602787#post12602787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by glassbox-design
Flame,

Do you mind sharing the source on the Burgess pair? Where they purchased together?

 

[forddna]

Ha...you have to let your spouse have their own "habit."