Butterfly choices with limited coral choice

[Moort82]

Hi, before you think its another which type of butterfly for a reef thread (well it is but hopefully with more options), i'm not wishing a miracle occurs and I can get away with any species I want. Instead i'm going to limit my choices to those that are most likely (accept its a huge risk still and if it doesn't work out then the butterflies are staying but the corals will go) to get on with what I have.
So basically my plan is only for a toadstool or two and my gorgonians. So essentially a soft coral only tank. I accept some nipping but would like some species that are more likely to be better behaved. Now my problem is I have done lots of research and came up with hugely differing opinions. For instance in lists of soft coral safe species I see Chaetodon kleinii pop up but I know its a soft coral specialist so straight away i'm wary that the advice on that list is misguided.

The two species I've highlighted as fav's are Rafflesi and Punctatofaciatus. Several sources suggest they are ok with both stony and soft corals but others imply i'd be mad. I know pyramids, cbb's, longnoses and those way out of my price range are better suited but the two above are fav's. I've also looked at one of the pearlscale's (xanthurus or mertensii, I know one is safer but can't remember off the top of my head) but would like to hear off personal experiences with similar species or suggestion of others that may work.

TIA

 

[jmm]

I know you said longnoses were too expensive but I've had one for nearly three years now and he doesn't bother anything. He's in a 210 with lots of acros, elegance, fox, zooanthids, torch, hammer, duncans, mushrooms, birdsnests, green stars, and several other fish. I don't have anemones or clams.

 

[Moort82]

Sorry I meant the other species that are too expensive for me like Tinkers, declevis etc. Longnose are quite reasonably priced but i'm aware they are safer, like pyramids (and not ruling either out) and am trying to find more species that would work that I might not stumble across through research.

 

[fishfreak2009]

When I had a softie reef I kept a xanthurus without issues. I also have had excellent luck with the lemon milletseed butterfly. My pebbled also never really bothered anything. My current copperband never tried to bother any corals, and when I had them, Heniochus diphreutes always did excellent as well.

 

[Moort82]

Thanks xanthurus is definitely one I've been looking at. Milletseed is also one but I've heard they are prone to losing colour in captivity. Has that been your experience?
Not looked at a pebbled, so will do so thanks.

 

[Charley Diesing]

Thanks xanthurus is definitely one I've been looking at. Milletseed is also one but I've heard they are prone to losing colour in captivity. Has that been your experience?
Not looked at a pebbled, so will do so thanks.

You ever try any?

 

[Moort82]

You ever try any?

No I chickened out when I closed another tank down and added my lps to this one.

 

[suta4242]

Not trying to advise you, but just an observation: some butterflys that prefer sps as a significant part of their diet in the wild, seem quite content to substitute gorgonian snacking in captivity. Also, locally caught rafflesi seem to be generalists. Not sure how that would translate to your particular corals.

HTH
:wave: