Rainfords Butterflyfish

[Big E]

Chaetodon rainfordis----------

I've seen a half dozen or so sold by LA Divers den over the course of the last year.........Has anyone had any success with this fish or any experiences they'd like to share?

I've never heard or read about anyone here in the US keeping one of these successfully other than third party or it's a secret type garbage.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

I had one for about 8 months. It was the first one LA/DD posted when they went Rainfordi Crazy in Fed/March last year. I lost it being an idiot during a tank incident.

Anyhow, it was quite hardy, and readily ate prepared foods. It didn't really care for Mysis or Brine. Instead it preferred small pieces of Scallops, Table Shrimp and the occasional live clam. I was just starting to get it to eat Nori before I killed it. I was able to train it to eat out of a baster, so it was easy to feed.

It had a pretty bold temperament. It never attacked or even cared about any of the other butterflies I had in with it. It was also safe with Softies. It only ever pecked at an irritated mushroom I had to scrape off a powerhead.

I will definitely try another one down the road, when the tank situations allow for one.

 

[Rahul]

This is my favourite butterflyfish, and one fish I will always have in my tank.

My current one I have had for about 9 m

 

[Rahul]

... 9 months.

It's hardy, eats very good(everyth

 

[Rahul]

Sorry keep hitting wrong button on iPhone.

But as I was saying, it eats everything offered. Has a good temperament and mine is in a fish only system with many angelfish and handles itself very well.

I find this fish very attractive and often wonder why more people do not keep this beauty.

Although I'm pretty sure it will not be safe with corals.

 

[Sheol]

Interesting. I've always read that these were obligate corallivores, doomed to die of malnutrion in a tank.
Has someone unlocked a way to keep these guys???

Matthew

 

[AuroraDrvr]

Interesting. I've always read that these were obligate corallivores, doomed to die of malnutrion in a tank.
Has someone unlocked a way to keep these guys???

Matthew

They are definitely corallivores, but not obligate; more like opportune feeders. Anything they can peck at which is edible, will likely be fair game. Algae is probably the second most common food item on their natural diet. Plankton, dead shrimp/fish, etc. are certainly fair game as well.

 

[Big E]

Thanks for the responses..........I knew they weren't obligate corallivores but had heard they were delicate & tough to get feeding.

It's good to read they are aggressive eaters once acclimated.

 

[Sheol]

Too bad, there are so many beautiful butterflyfish but so very few Reef Compatible ones. And this is definitely a no-no for a reef..

Matthew