Butterfly questions

[Garrace10]

I am trying to introduce a butterfly fish into my 55gal reef tank that has been taken over by aiptasia. The only corals that are left are mushrooms. I purchased a Auriga Butterfly from the local chain pet store that I have used for years. The store had only had him for 24hrs but said that because they didn't have large tanks butterfly's didn't do well if I left it there for a week. So I took it home and put it in my 20gal quarantine tank that has lots of live rock and has been running for months. I did a very slow(2hr) drip but the fish was breathing rapid from the time I got him and although he did swim around a bit at first he only lasted 24hrs. I am having them order a Raccoon Butterfly and they suggest I pick it up as soon as it comes in still in the bag and after acclimation put it directly in my 55 reef tank. They also recommended a airstone in the bag. I have never put anything in a display tank before without quarantine. What do you guys think? Are butterfly's all this delicate or did I just get a sick one the first time.

Thanks
Gary

 

[LemonLemon]

don't put a butterfly into a tank without quarantine.

you can do it if you want but it will bring in ich and flukes.

butterflies are disease magnets and almost all of them come in with such parasites.

 

[ShellsSD]

I agree DON'T put in display. I have learned the hard way. I won't put a butterfly in until 8 weeks minimum in QT I've had a few butterflies but never had one die that quick. I'm guessing yours was sick already and the additional stress was too much