Butterfly Fish

[Kdocimo90]

I'm thinking about getting a Meyer's butterfly fish for my 210g. I've read mixed opinions as to whether they are reef safe or not. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with this fish, or any other butterfly fish.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[fishkid6692]

it's hit or miss just like angels. if your that worried about it i would hold off. it would be pretty hard to get one out of a 210g.

 

[Kdocimo90]

well is it a hit or miss right away? or are they like angels, and can still have an appetite for coral a year later (like my emperor angel)

 

[fishkid6692]

i've had a butterfly before and he was fine but i bought another and it picked at everything. there unpredictable. they can decide they like the taste of corals 2 years after there in the tank. you never know.also i think it's more of a risk for you because most non reef safe fish tend to like LPS/softys for then SPS. GL either way.

 

[ShiftNation]

Get a pyramid butterfly. They are a plankton feeder so 9 times out of 10 they wont nip sessile inverts.

 

[Kdocimo90]

Yeah I have been interested in the pyramid butterfly as well, I just LOVE the look of Meyer's butterflies.

 

[ShiftNation]

I feel ya man, gl with the hunt.

 

[Kdocimo90]

Yeah, I really need to get some fish in my tank. My parents are getting ****ed because I have only a few smaller fish in a giant tank lol. They keep telling me to stop getting corals and get more fish... I think I'm gonna head over to Greenwich aquaria and maybe House of Fins today to see whats in stock. I'll probably end up coming home with corals anyways but whatever lol. I havent gotten any livestock in quite a while.

 

[fishkid6692]

I just looked up the meyers butterfly and there specialized coral feeders. Do a search on RC. I believe chris cambell tried one.

 

[Kdocimo90]

Well I believe they are known to eat a specific coral not found in many tanks. Needless to say, they are still known for eating corals I guess.

 

[fishkid6692]

They will eat most corals. If you want to try a butterfly i would try a one thats considered reefsafe. Meyers butterflys are also extremely hard to keep.

 

[mike1420]

I'm right next to Greenwich Aquaria... I might be able to stop over and give a list of what's in stock.

 

[ilikelps]

Maybe a Copperband? Although I have heard they are hit and miss as well. But its another option. Anyone know more about them?

 

[Kdocimo90]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15694360#post15694360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishkid6692
They will eat most corals. If you want to try a butterfly i would try a one thats considered reefsafe. Meyers butterflys are also extremely hard to keep.

"Most kinds of corals we get they would not eat anyway... I believe they are specialized feeders in that they eat only specific species of hard corals. Some obligate corallivores even only eat one species. If you were able to import large numbers of hawaiian sps, maybe you would have a shot with this."

-Cantonesefish

 

[fishkid6692]

Ok but that makes another reason not to get one. How are you going to feed it? I haven't heard of anyone getting them to eat prepared foods. There is a very slim chance. Are you going to order large numbers of SPS from hawaii? No. If many experienced people have not been able to keep them what makes you think you can? I'm not trying to offend you. Also even though they will only eat certain corals they can still pick at other things.

 

[Kdocimo90]

lol calm down buddy. I never said I was going to get it. I'm just pointing out that there is merely a specific type/species of coral that they are known to eat.

I'd rather try to feed a fish that eats corals I dont have than try to feed a fish that eats corals I DO have.