Long nose butterfly with tang?

[drbronx]

I am in the process of upgrading from a 75 to a 125 gallon mostly sps reef tank. I have had a longnosed butterfly for about two years (whom by the way has been a model citizen as far as not disturbing corals or clams). I am contemplating the purchase of a Red Sea Sailfin or a Purple tang for the 125. Any comments regarding compatability of tangs and butterflies would be appreciated. While I would hate to see him go, I would be willing to part with the Butterfly in order to accommodate the tang. Also, would a 6 ft. long 125 tank be large enough for a red sea sailfin? the RC staf in their thread recommend 130 or larger. He would be the only tang.

 

[thor32766]

my opinon is they should be good together. My yellow tang and sailfin get along with my copperband. Just make sure that the butterfly gets feed, sailfins are pigs. I have a few friends that have sailfins in 125's and have had them for years. just my .02 cents.

 

[steveo32]

let me know what you turn up with Imn in the same boat

 

[vanmle]

I have a Red Sea sailfin tang 6"+ and a purple tang 3" with my longnose butterfly. They are all doing great. My tank is a 180 gallon.

 

[ethompson]

vanmle,

do you have your yellow longnose in a reef tank? If so, what is your experience with them in respect to being "reef safe"

ethompson

 

[vanmle]

I do have him in reef tank and besides eating all of the feather dusters, he is great. I have two clams and occassionally, he picks on the crocea but leaves the squamosa alone. He does not pick on the clam enough to annoy it so it is doing fine.

I also have open brains, SPS, zoos, and a flowerpot. No issue with the yellow longnose. Another reefer in my area also has clams, SPS, LPS, zoos, etc with his yellow long nose and it is fine. As a matter of fact, his longnose is in there with an achilles tang.

 

[ethompson]

I'm wondering if there are any tricks to getting one that will be reef safe. I've heard that with dwarf angels that the younger they are, the better. Or if I were to keep it in quarantine for a prolonged time getting it use to eating nothing but prepared foods and feeding them well.

I guess nothing is certain because of genetic and all but has anyone heard of any "tricks" to getting a "reef safe" butterflyfish?

vanmle,

anything that you think has helped you and your friend?...or is it just the luck of the draw.

 

[vanmle]

I think we were just lucky. I got mine from the LFS and he got his from liveaquaria.com.

I heard that the yellow longnose butterfly is one of the safest butterfly.

I love him. He is very active, bright and never seems to sleep. Eats like crazy. Wonderful fish. Well worth the risk I think.

 

[sidewinder770]

I think I'm the friend . except I got mine from Marine Depot Live- not live aquaria but I don't think that matters much since they probably get stuff from the same wholsalers. Our LNB has been great- one of the first fish we got in the new tank. We also have a chevron, naso, hippo and achillies tang with it. I'm dealing with trying to catch the achillies now since I tried to add a new fish yesterday and he started beating it up- once i do he'll be in solitary for a few weeks to see if he chills out. . I have known a few people with LNB and they were all model citizens. We have clams as well and he leaves them alone.

 

[ethompson]

sidewinder 770

I am glad to here this. I want this fish but I also want clams and other corals. I think I'll give one a try.

thanks

ethompson