Butterflyfish reef safe

[5Starreef]

I open this post for everyone that have experience with Butterflys reef safe

I would like to know the better ones for a reef

Please post your pictures!!

 

[snorvich]

The only "for sure" reef safe butterflies and pyramids and zosters. Everything else is problematical. Even CBB are not always reef safe.

 

[Big E]

Muelleri CBB are the most reef safe butterfly available. Mine has never touched LPS,SPS, Rics,Anenome ect. I have never heard of one eating anything other than fan worms.

I have read of more than one account recently of pyramids eating certain corals as more have started to keep them in reefs. Do a search & you will find at least 3-4 people that have had problems.

 

[Sardaukar]

Muelleri CBB are the most reef safe butterfly available. Mine has never touched LPS,SPS, Rics,Anenome ect. I have never heard of one eating anything other than fan worms.

I have read of more than one account recently of pyramids eating certain corals as more have started to keep them in reefs. Do a search & you will find at least 3-4 people that have had problems.

I'm pretty sure that no Butterflyfish species is 100% safe with all corals. There are instances of Pyramid/Zosters bothering some corals, same with the CBB/Muelleri group and the tinkeri complex.

 

[snorvich]

I'm pretty sure that no Butterflyfish species is 100% safe with all corals. There are instances of Pyramid/Zosters bothering some corals, same with the CBB/Muelleri group and the tinkeri complex.

I agree. In my case, they have been fine, just like a previous poster has found Muelleri to be fine. I have also had a Muelleri that was ok, but that is not necessarily the rule.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

I have read of more than one account recently of pyramids eating certain corals as more have started to keep them in reefs. Do a search & you will find at least 3-4 people that have had problems.

And I've read about Lyretail Anthias nipping too...

No fish from any genus is ever a guarantee. It might be 99.9% unlikely to nip, but still never 100%.

 

[SDguy]

And I've read about Lyretail Anthias nipping too...

Yeah, me too... soooo not buying it.

Butterflies, on the other hand, are probably the worst group for a reef tank, with very few (mentioned above) actually maybe somewhat reef safe.

 

[erendon]

I curently have a CBB and a longnose flavissimus in my 180. they both eat frozen and they both pick at the liverock. I have no regrets.

 

[Big E]

I'm pretty sure that no Butterflyfish species is 100% safe with all corals. There are instances of Pyramid/Zosters bothering some corals, same with the CBB/Muelleri group and the tinkeri complex.

I don't disagree in principle there could always be a case that a certian BF nips just based on their habit of picking for food, but Muelleris mainly come from mudflat areas where there are no corals. They may be one of the few or only butterflies that don't live on coral reefs. Until someone experiences a problem they remain the safest & best bet.

 

[Blownsvt]

i have a double saddle butterfly in my mixed reef. He picks occasionally when he gets hungry but as long as i keep him fed he does well. he does not touch brains at all mostly my torch and the occasion peck at SPS.