butterfly fish for reef tank?

[sunilp]

I have a mixed tank with several tangs and a single clown. I was looking at getting a butterfly fish. Can anyone recommend a butterfly fish that is reef safe. I read about the copper banded butterfly but heard it can pick at some corals and I would rather avoid that.

 

[Moorish_Idol]

They're sort of reef safe, they generally won't pick at SPS or LPS but they probably will pick soft corals and zoas.....I can't really say, it can vary from fish to fish. If well fed they shouldn't pick.

My analysis: reef safe with caution. I've seen lots of butterfly's in reef tanks....but I can't guarantee it will be completely reef safe.

 

[schatzi]

Not quite a butterfly fish but you usually see them in the same category. The Schooling Bannerfish

It's on my list but I haven't gotten that far yet

 

[reeferstace]

Pyramids (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) tend to do well in reef tanks.

 

[rssjsb]

How big is your tank?

 

[Ryan2013]

There arent really any butterflies that are entirely reef safe. If you put one in your reef, theres always the chance it will pick at your corals.