Declivis or mitradus Butterfly

[DeltecRules]

I been thinking of picking up either a declivis or a mitradus butterfly from my LFS has many rare fish, it will be going in a 120 gallon with fairy wrasses, which one would you choose? I have no corals yet but a gigas clam. I think they are both beautiful but its a tough choice.

Scott

 

[Amphiprion]

C. mitratus has been known to feed on corals. C. declivis may or may not--I don't think the occurences of feedings are often, but that may be due to its rarity.

 

[nbd13]

I have a mitratus in my 275 SPS tank. So far, he has not picked at any SPS, the few LPS I have, the few zoos I have, and the 4 clams I have. He was about 2" when I got him and has grown to around 2 1/2" in a matter of 3-4 months.

They are both nice fish, I am setting up a 240 as a FOWLR that will be tied into my current system.....

I will either have a pair fo declivis or tinkers. It will basically come down to which one I can get.

The tinkers, mitratus, declivis, and burgess all are from the same complex/genus....all coming from deep water as you probably know.

Either choice would be a good one, ALTHOUGH you are taking a risk...supposedley in the wild they feed on plankton, so tenativley they are "reef safe". I would think that any of the butteflies in the same complex as the tinkers would be "safe"....BUT again it's a risk.

They all get to be around 5-6", so if you can get a juvi I would suggest that.

HTH, let me know if you have more questions.

Nick

 

[jmicky41]

I've kept a declivis in my old fish only tank and currently keep a Mitratus in my FOWLR tank. I bought the mitratus real small - about 1.25" and it has grown to about 2.5" in 18 months. The problem with my mitratus is that it won't eat pellets, flakes, or most frozen mixes. It loves mysis, live brine, fish eggs, nori and angel formula though. It is almost as though it won't eat anything that doesn't "look" like food. It ate all the collonista snails, vermitid snails and feather dusters off the live rock. I also suspect that it eats all the turbos and astreas that I have bought over the last 18 months. When I add some snails it nips at their antennae and I think that causes them to hide and not feed well. The declivis on the other hand ate all that was offered, untill a crypt infestation got him. The mitratus is kinda mean and will chase my flame angel and yellow tang. It leaves the fairy wrasse alone though. All that being said, I would buy a mitratus over the declivis if the mitratus would eat pellets or flake in the store.

 

[DeltecRules]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7580690#post7580690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmicky41
I've kept a declivis in my old fish only tank and currently keep a Mitratus in my FOWLR tank. I bought the mitratus real small - about 1.25" and it has grown to about 2.5" in 18 months. The problem with my mitratus is that it won't eat pellets, flakes, or most frozen mixes. It loves mysis, live brine, fish eggs, nori and angel formula though. It is almost as though it won't eat anything that doesn't "look" like food. It ate all the collonista snails, vermitid snails and feather dusters off the live rock. I also suspect that it eats all the turbos and astreas that I have bought over the last 18 months. When I add some snails it nips at their antennae and I think that causes them to hide and not feed well. The declivis on the other hand ate all that was offered, untill a crypt infestation got him. The mitratus is kinda mean and will chase my flame angel and yellow tang. It leaves the fairy wrasse alone though. All that being said, I would buy a mitratus over the declivis if the mitratus would eat pellets or flake in the store.

Thanks my LFS has both in, the mitratus is $270 and the declivis is $240.00 which seem like great prices for those two butterflies. Ill decide by tomorrow by taking a look at them both.

Scott

 

[jmicky41]

Those prices seem good, I managed to get a bargain for mine - $199 each.