So I am really close to pulling the trigger on 2 of these guys. I am planning on doing a reef composed mainly of SPS so I want to know what the opinion is. They are small at less than 3 inches each and will be in QT for at least 6 months since my new tank is yet to be built so they wont see any coral for that time frame. What LPS might be safe and maybe even softies? Just shoot me some advice.
Pakistan Butterfly advice for reef
- Thread starter xanthurum
- Start date
I would do a google search and see if they would touch the corals you plan on keeping. Of course it really comes down to the individual fish that you have as opposed to the species itself. Some times the fish don't read the book. 
For me, I keep 95% SPS and it seems like most fish will not go after them. If there is a fish I want and and I see a really beautiful specimen, to me the fish is worth the risk.
I never had a butterfly but plan on it at some point.
These are a list fish I have kept or presently have with no issues.
French Angel
Majesic Angel
Queen Angel
Goldflake Angel
Potters Angel
Regal Angel
I had an African Flameback Angel and he picked at everything.
So my point is, most of the above fish are not generally kept in reef tanks with 100% success.
Ken
For me, I keep 95% SPS and it seems like most fish will not go after them. If there is a fish I want and and I see a really beautiful specimen, to me the fish is worth the risk.
I never had a butterfly but plan on it at some point.
These are a list fish I have kept or presently have with no issues.
French Angel
Majesic Angel
Queen Angel
Goldflake Angel
Potters Angel
Regal Angel
I had an African Flameback Angel and he picked at everything.
So my point is, most of the above fish are not generally kept in reef tanks with 100% success.
Ken
Reef264
Where's The Reef?
Every Butterfly I have ever owned (3) has been an SPS picking machine.I have found that Larger Angels do not pick as much as the dwarfs, that might be mine and a few others that have experiences this.I have read some real horror stories with big angels.I had a Blueface Angel for 2 years and I swear it never picked at a thing while my eyes were on the tank.Got too big for my tank and had the sell him.
-Ray
-Ray
Winwood
New member
I have tried quite a few butterflies (falcula, ulietensis, auriga, lunula, etc.) even some obligate coralivores such as chaetodon trifasciatus and an eight lined butterfly. Most if not all picked at almost everything including LPS, softies, palys, acros, branching monties. One interesting thing they didn't pick at was my plating monties. Both my orange plate and green with pink/purple rim varieties were left untouched. Also, chaetodon trifasciata was mostly interested in SPS, but there's no big surprise there.
Using a trap takes a little finesse. You can't just leave the door wide open and expect your target fish, and only your target fish, to swim right in. I usually tease the fish first. Leave the door closed. Then open it a bit to let a few fish in to eat/stir up the food. The keep the door closed again after the fish get out. The excitement over the food builds; eventually all the fish want in. Then I just wait for my target fish to come to the door, and I slowly raise it. If a catch other fish with the target no biggie. It takes me anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple days to catch the target fish.
I'm like 15 and 0 with my trap
I'm like 15 and 0 with my trap
Winwood
New member
Using a trap takes a little finesse. You can't just leave the door wide open and expect your target fish, and only your target fish, to swim right in. I usually tease the fish first. Leave the door closed. Then open it a bit to let a few fish in to eat/stir up the food. The keep the door closed again after the fish get out. The excitement over the food builds; eventually all the fish want in. Then I just wait for my target fish to come to the door, and I slowly raise it. If a catch other fish with the target no biggie. It takes me anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple days to catch the target fish.
I'm like 15 and 0 with my trap
Agreed. I've also placed similar fish in small clear containers inside the trap when food isn't motivating them fast enough. Usually their natural territorial behavior draws them in. This has worked well with damsels and pseudochromis in the past for me.
Marshall O
New member
I use a very similar method to Peter. If the fish I am trying to catch is very outgoing (i.e. swims into the net I use to feed with), I stick the trap in the tank, throw some food in, and 30 seconds later catch the fish. With shy fish (those that are very tentative to grab food in the fist place), I will place the trap in the tank with the door open and leave it there for a couple days. Then I will use my turkey baster to spray their favorite food into the trap (usually Mysis for most fish). I will continually blow water into the trap to stir up the food and grab their attention. Sometimes it works in one feeding, other times it takes a couple days. But I have never not caught the fish I wanted this way; just takes patience!
Both are already eating in QT! Here is a pic for size reference, that is a quarter and this is the bigger of the 2 although not by much.
My Red Sea Sailfin is not p[leased with the new additions. Side note is that not the smallest sailfin ever.
Also I got the New Era grazing rings and my fish love it. I cut each ring into 2 since I don't have that many fish in the QT.
My Red Sea Sailfin is not p[leased with the new additions. Side note is that not the smallest sailfin ever.
Also I got the New Era grazing rings and my fish love it. I cut each ring into 2 since I don't have that many fish in the QT.
Chaetodon lunula is SPS safe. I've kept them with lots of Acros, montis, stylos, birdsnest, gorgonians, etc. They do pick LPS to death, but most SPS are fine.
Also, been able to get away with a Chaetodon ulietensis is a very large reef. He picks constantly, at zoas and euphyllia, but the colonies are so big, that it doesn't pose a threat.
Good luck! Also, those new era Grazing Logs are nice! I like them.
Also, been able to get away with a Chaetodon ulietensis is a very large reef. He picks constantly, at zoas and euphyllia, but the colonies are so big, that it doesn't pose a threat.
Good luck! Also, those new era Grazing Logs are nice! I like them.
ingtar_shinowa
New member
My buddy had one it was mean! passed it around the reef club a bit but every said it was just a killer. It has its own tank now with it original owner and while small, it is happy again.
