Chaetodon rainfordi

Not a lot of info around about this fish, so i'm glad someones posted about it.

I have been fortunate enough to keep most of my dream fish, from my wish list. And this fish was at the top of my list, and always will be.

I have had mine for about 2 years now. It is the 2nd specimen i bought. This fish is definitely not reef safe at all. So only for a FO. Small specimens are more difficult to adjust, while medium and large fish are easier (same as the Golden/Addis B/F). Once they start eating everything including flakes, pellets, nori etc. they are very strong and not as fragile as they look. They eat loads and appreciate heavy regular feeding.

I have had the same experience with both of my fish, keeping my first 1 for about a year. It was the first marine fish a ever purchased. It would eat every bit of coral I ever put in the tank, so it turned me into a FO keeper. It died in a tank wipeout from bacterial infection. ( at that time I did not have the knowledge of identifying disease and treating with correct medicine)

The c. Rainfordi I currently have is exactly the same in behaviour to the first. This one was medium size at purchase. It lives in a busy tank with 3 other butterfly fish, 2 tangs and a lot of medium to large angelfish. It never gets disease, when others did. It is a perfect fish for a FO tank with Angels and Butterfly fish.
 
Thank you for the info Rahul. Can I ask what other butterflies are in the tank with it?
 
OK, so I am DEFINITELY eating crow on this thread. My rainfordi eats Formula 2 pellets by Ocean Nutrition like crazy... just like my angels or other "easy" butterflies. Now if only my collare and marginalis would learn from him :lol:

He has also become very settled in... no longer passive. He will either chase off other butterflies, or at least not let them bully him. It's quite interesting to see such a "delicate looking" butterfly acting this way...
 
Im not one bit suprised............getting a healthy BF from a quality source is half the battle with a lot of these tough to keep BF's.

I'm not speaking of the strict coral eaters, but probably about a dozen or so that have been labled as very difficult to keep alive long term.
 
Quick video of him...

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That's one beautiful fish Peter. What I like about rainfords is their shorter snout & more rounded shape like a fresh water discus. They might be the most circular shaped BF & that's what makes them unique.

How big is he? That angel is a butthead:lol2:
 
Their shape is actually very strange...almost as much body below the snout as above... when you really look at them, their heads are TINY compared to their bodies!!

He's good sized, around 4". They will have plenty of room to be less buttheady soon :D
 
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Should I be concerned about weight?

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Also interesting... his fins are definitely elongating... making him less round...

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Very beautiful. Do you guys have any suggestions for what coral to feed Butterflies? Something that is fast growing and easy to propagate.
I'd like a school of raccoons along with several other species. Any suggestions for putting in BF's as a pair? Thanks.
Daniel. :wildone:
 
Very beautiful. Do you guys have any suggestions for what coral to feed Butterflies? Something that is fast growing and easy to propagate.
I'd like a school of raccoons along with several other species. Any suggestions for putting in BF's as a pair? Thanks.
Daniel. :wildone:

Many of the hardy butterflies, like the raccoon, adapt well to prepared foods and don't need to be fed corals. I've never had much luck pairing butterflies, so I don't try anymore :)
 
I've seen some sold as pairs because they were collected as such, but they go for triple or more the price of a single. Keep my eyes open.
Would be cool to get them as juveniles and have them pair up. That way I could be the one asking for a big markup. :strange: I will keep planning and saving for the next upgrade....
Daniel. :wavehand:
 
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