Is there such a thing as a butterfly for a 55?

[FishAddict87]

As the title states...is there a butterfly fish that will be capable for a 55 gallon? I do want to upgrade very soon because im graduating college in less than a month and I hope my parents will get me a new tank for a graduation present (crossing my fingers but I still have to ask them). If i can upgrade, depending on what they will let me get will be either a 75 or my dream of a 125 (trying to be practical with this size...if i could i would go 1000 gallons). besides the possible upgrade, is 55 gal adequate for any butterfly fish? I have a fish guy who maintains my tank and he can get wholesale price so I can get almost what I want but I dont want to go crazy (price wise). Thanks in advance

 

[FishAddict87]

Btw I was wondering if anyone has any info on the whit tail tang. I do not want to put a tang in m 55 but when or if i upgrade, i do want one.

 

[Charley Diesing]

Yes there are quite a few of Butterflys that would fit in a 55 Gallon.

Look at these, some are more difficult then others. And many are not reef safe, keep that in mind.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+25

 

[FishAddict87]

I just cant imagine a Heniochus Black & White Butterflyfish which gets to 10" to be thriving in a 55. This is why I like to ask on reef central than research on my own. Im not trying to say liveaquaria is giving wrong info on recommended tank size but it just seems bogus sometimes if you know what I mean. I am just using this fish as an example. I have personally seen this particular fish in a 55 gallon at a LFS and it seemed crammed because it would go from one side to the other in 2 seconds.

 

[Charley Diesing]

Well also remember... In captivity fish aren't going to get nearly as big, for example. They say the Copper band gets 9 inches on LA.

I have a friend that has a 220 gallon with a CBB for about 8 years now. And its 5-5.5 inches tops...

Point is. Fish just don't get that big in captivity.

 

[Charley Diesing]

Also I really like Dot-Dash Butterflys.


http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+25+1522&pcatid=1522

 

[FishAddict87]

I have heard that fish dont get as big as listed but the thing is that can that be a hit or miss? I mean u never know, it could depend on the fish or type of fish as well. all im trying to say is that I would rather be safe than sorry... just dont want to run into any problems in the long run if i cant upgrade. that Pelewensis Butterflyfish looks really nice though

 

[WuHT]

The punctacto butterfly is alleged much hardier (though I dont know how truthful that is) and it is basically the pelewensis but its dot-dashes are vertical instead of at a diagonal angle

 

[SDguy]

While old, the WWM breakdown of easy to keep butterflies is still pretty accurate:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Goodchaetodon.htm