hardy butterfly for community tank?

[orangegoby]

can anybody recommend a hardy butterfly that holds well against tangs, angels...etc. currently i have a 4" cbb that doesn't give a damn about the tank boss (7" sailfin tang)

 

[SDguy]

In a reef? You are limited to various longnose species, zoster, pyramid, etc.

 

[orangegoby]

thanks Peter,
i don't know how to call my tank, it's Fish with some eat-what-u-can soft corals With Live Rock. so they don't have to be reef safe. Is that open up more candidates?

 

[b0bab0ey]

thanks Peter,
i don't know how to call my tank, it's Fish with some eat-what-u-can soft corals With Live Rock. so they don't have to be reef safe. Is that open up more candidates?

If you don't care about your corals, get a Raccoon. IME, they are tough and will hold their own against almost any other fish, but will also tear a reef up.

I've also had good luck with Orange, Long Nose, Copperband and Pearlscale. Those should be (mostly) reef safe with softies.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

Raccoon, auriga, ulietensis, are good choices.

 

[orangegoby]

thanks b0bab0ey,
Is Pearlscale tough and hardy?

 

[orangegoby]

Raccoon, auriga, ulietensis, are good choices.

Thanks, Frank

 

[Rapide]

Chaetodon kleinii... Not the most flamboyant, but still a Butterfly.
I have one in a reef tank, takes care of Aiptasia

 

[b0bab0ey]

Is Pearlscale tough and hardy?

Not as tough/hardy as a Raccoon, but about the same as a Long Nose or Copperband, IME. So, not too bad. The key is to make sure you get one that's eating.

Another option for you might be a Singapore Angel. IMO, they are absolutely gorgeous and look just like a butterfly (and are as reef destruction as a Raccoon.) They are tough, but with these it's absolutely imperative you get one that's eating. Otherwise, they tend to not eat and starve to death.

 

[pinnatus]

Longnoses are fairly hardy and fairly reef safe. They will also defend themselves by raising and pointing their dorsal spines at aggressors.

 

[orangegoby]

hey Rapide,
i know this one is a tough cookie but sort of like the ugly sister in the Cinderella story.
my cbb has been doing a good job on poking those annoying aipatasia.
thanks though.

 

[orangegoby]

double post

 

[orangegoby]

Longnoses are fairly hardy and fairly reef safe. They will also defend themselves by raising and pointing their dorsal spines at aggressors.

thanks ken

 

[Rapide]

Yep... I'd love a CBB but they tend to die. I had one and it was doing so great and then just died in a week!
Not going to kill another

 

[orangegoby]

Another option for you might be a Singapore Angel. IMO, they are absolutely gorgeous and look just like a butterfly (and are as reef destruction as a Raccoon.) They are tough, but with these it's absolutely imperative you get one that's eating. Otherwise, they tend to not eat and starve to death.

this is a beautiful fish also IMO, but heard quite difficult and not hardy.

 

[Rapide]

Chaetodon collare? Totally different looking than the CBB

 

[b0bab0ey]

this is a beautiful fish also IMO, but heard quite difficult and not hardy.

This perception is because a lot of specimens refuse to eat and starve to death. So, you wouldn't want to buy one online or without seeing him eat. But if you ever see one at a LFS, ask the owner to throw a little flake (yes, flake) in the tank. If he goes after it and eats well, you're looking at a fish as hardy as any other IME.

 

[jjk_reef00]

Raccoon, auriga, ulietensis, are good choices.

These are some of my favorite hardy B/F, but I wouldn't keep auriga with other B/F's. You could add both Raccoon and uilietensis. Although the raccoon will definetly eat your soft corals. And red sea raccoons are awesome if you can get one.

This perception is because a lot of specimens refuse to eat and starve to death. So, you wouldn't want to buy one online or without seeing him eat. But if you ever see one at a LFS, ask the owner to throw a little flake (yes, flake) in the tank. If he goes after it and eats well, you're looking at a fish as hardy as any other IME.

Agreed although I would still buy one from live aquaria with their great customer support and 14 day guarantee if you really want this fish.

 

[SDguy]

Check out wetwebmedia's listing of "good" butterflies to see which are hardy.

 

[orangegoby]

found it, bingo!
thanks again peter.