Pyramid Butterfly purchase

[mpderksen]

I don't add many fish. I always TTM. But, with a PBT, I have to be really careful about compatibility.
Want to add: 3 Pyramid Butterfly (please recommend a source)
Tank is a 150g, 6' long, mixed reef.
Livestock:
PBT, Queen of the tank and aggressive, as is typical
1 YT
2 clowns
2 PJ Cardinalfish
1 blue chromis
1 diamond goby
flame angelfish and pygmy angelfish

Everyone has been in there over a year. PBT chases the YT a little, the Flame chases the Pygmy, but there seems to be room for everyone, enough food and no torn fins.

Yes, there is ALWAYS a risk, but any obvious issues with 3-5 Pyramids? If not, WHERE do I get these?

Michael

 

[Dmorty217]

Use a acclimation box and rearrange rock work, also add them when the lights are off. As far as sourcing goes talk to your local fish store. Quality Marine has them fairly regularly so your LFS should be able to get them. Otherwise you have to watch Diver Den for them and pay way more than you should.

 

[mpderksen]

Use a acclimation box and rearrange rock work,

I've seen this mentioned and always scratch my head. How can I rearrange my rocks that are covered in SPS? If I thought I could do that, I'd be ripping out the ones that have Palys on them...

But no real concerns about the PBT picking them off, one at a time?

 

[HumbleFish]

Post TTM, I recommend observing the Pyramids for a prolonged period of time in a larger observation tank. I've seen pairs/trios work out - I've also seen them turn on one another after a couple of weeks.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Cool fish, and I see it's more of a planktivore, so considered reef safe. I also saw that it is timid, and not a good choice for a tank with more aggressive fish. So I'm afraid I'd advise against adding them to your tank.

This really highlights the importance of Order of Introduction. If you had added these fish first, they would have a much better chance. Ideally, before adding ANY fish, you would make a fish list, then determine the order of introduction, starting with the smallest, most timid fish.

If you are determined to make this happen, (after a good QT) I'd put them in an acclimation box for a week or two, then right before you introduce them, rearrange the rocks to break up established territories. I know this is a pain, but it's the best advice I can offer. Otherwise I fear you are making an expensive mistake.

 

[mpderksen]

This really highlights the importance of Order of Introduction.

Well, at the time, the PB WAS last to add. After starving my Foxface, and a few years of general attrition, she kinda owns the tank. Maybe some Wrasses and/or Gobies that are non-compete are a better option to add at this point.

I don't care at all about anything that we categorize as "special". Most of the people that see my tank would look right past a Gem tang and go, "hey! you have a Nemo!". At this point, I would like some additional, mid-sized, active additions to put more color and motion in the tank. I mostly stare at my coral, but it does look a little empty to me.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Right on. I'd advise you get fish that are a little tougher, like Fridmani Basslets or Royal Grammas - both of which can be added as groups that will form harems. Natural harem behavior is a blast to watch. You could add more chromis and cardinals as well. I would avoid fish with similar shapes to your tangs and angels. Good luck!

 

[Softhammer]

I added a single pyramid to a tank with 3 tangs. Violent purple, sail fin and hippo. Zero issues. I did have to confine it to the sump though, it kept biting my huge derasa clam.

 

[mpderksen]

I added a single pyramid to a tank with 3 tangs. Violent purple, sail fin and hippo. Zero issues. I did have to confine it to the sump though, it kept biting my huge derasa clam.

Oh snap. Yeah. Never even considered the clam! Not "huge", but certainly healthy and would like to keep it that way.

(Not sure how to add my picture without it being massive!)

 

[mpderksen]

<a href="https://ibb.co/x6Qm1Qg"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/DQnG9nM/20200214-095500.jpg" alt="20200214-095500" border="0"></a>

 

[Softhammer]

I never thought it would go after the clam, and it only went for the one that is over a foot long. I’m convinced it would have killed anything smaller. Sorry to burst your bubble, hopefully it was an isolated incident but better to be forewarned!

 

[mpderksen]

SW - Orchid Dottyback, Captive-Bred
SW - Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse (Cebu) - Young Male
SW - Bluehead Fairy Wrasse (Jakarta) - Medium
SW - McCosker's Flasher Wrasse, SubAdult/Male (Sumatra) - Medium
SW - Katherine's Fairy Wrasse, Female - Small
SW - Bicolor Blenny (Sri Lanka) - Medium

 

[NYCBOB]

pyramid butterflies are reef safe. I had one for years and it was very easy to keep. ate anything i fed it. didnt touch any coral.

 

[Myles]

I have a group of 3 which are always out and about so not timid. They will fight with each other from time to time but not constantly or persistently and no harm is done. They do pick at corals but not enough to do any damage and leave my maxima clam completely alone.
I would be nervous about adding them to a tank with an aggressive tang as they are similar in shape and will likely be perceived as a threat.
Myles

 

[lionfish300]

I have Power Blue, Sailfin 3 Yellow tangs with 2 Pyramid Butterfly and the only chasing are from the 2 Pyramid

 

[reefteaser]

I had my Pyramid Butterfly for well over 2 years when it developed a taste for my scholys and welso coral. Great looking fish, but not 100% reef safe in my experience.
He was voted off the island.