Reef Butterfly

jelwyoming

jelwyoming

JELWYOMING
After studing a bit on any possible butterfly fish that will work safely in a reef tank. Not many choices, if any. It seems that some thing that each of these have some chance; the yellow long nose butterfly, the copperband, the pyrimid butterfly and the Heniochus Butterfly. Can any one share their experiences with these in a reef tank. I have an established 120g that I was hoping to add one to. Right now, the Heniochus acuminatus seems to be the safest. Any comments with regards to that?
 
Copperband work in my tank and ate all my aiptasia. When I purchased him I was looking for something to get rid of aiptasia, my LFS told me it hit or miss with this fish, they could pick at some of your corals. I took the chance and it paid off. Fish is still doing great 9 months later.
 
I have various SPS and LPS plus a GBTA in my tank. I am wondering if it will/might both them...especially the anemone. It a big one though at about 12".
 
CBB are hit and miss on Aiptasia (some do, some don't) and reef safeness. Meuller's butterfly is more likely to live long term but again is hit or miss on both Aiptasia and Reef Safeness. If they pick, it is more likely to be on LPS.
 
Thanks, I will take a look at those some more. It looks as if there are no very good risks with butterflies, are there?
 
Re: Reef Butterfly

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8491437#post8491437 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jelwyoming
Right now, the Heniochus acuminatus seems to be the safest. Any comments with regards to that?
Click to expand...

I think the Henichus Diphreutes is reef safe and the Heni A. is not reef safe
 
Re: Re: Reef Butterfly

Re: Re: Reef Butterfly

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8492339#post8492339 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cthetoy
I think the Henichus Diphreutes is reef safe and the Heni A. is not reef safe
Click to expand...

you are correct.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8494549#post8494549 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sea student
Not only is H. diphreutes more reef safe, they also have a lot of personality and are very attractive. This place has both, so you can compare. There are some threads on RC about how to tell them apart as well. http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Browse.asp?Category=Fish:Butterflyfish
Click to expand...

I had a pair of those in my QT and they are somewhat reef safe. However I did notice that they went after the spaghetti worms and other life in my DSB. They actually ended up dying from Ich before I added them to my display tank.
 
What are all of you basing your comments on the diphreutes being more reef safe on? Experiences? Others comments or professional observations?
 
Mine was from a pretty shady LFS and was sick when I got it. It never thrived and died about 8 mos later. I've seen much healthier specimens though...I just got a sickly one and in hindsight should have done some things differently w/ feeding. I will have one again...great personality and looks. Had FOWLR at the time, so can't comment about reef-safeness, have heard pretty good reports.
 
I have a Yellow Pyramid Butterfly, Hemitauricthys polylepis, in my 144 mixed reef and he has never shown any signs of bothering softies, LPS, or SPS. Doesn't bother fish or invertebraes either. He is basically the perfect citizen in my tank and is probably the most sociable fish in the tank (always there to greet me when I get in front of the tank).

I chose this fish based on the description in S. Michael's Reef Fishes handbook and it was pretty much spot on. Seems to be totally reef safe and has proved to be hardy (I have had him for about 9 months now). He immediately took to both frozen foods and nori sheets. The nori sheets were a bit of a surprise, but he likes to partake with his tang and siganus bretheren. I would highly recommend this fish if you are looking for a reef safe butterfly.
 
I was actually thinking of the Pyramid Butterfly. I have read some that they are very hard to acclimate. Sounds like you have a good one! Any pictures?
Any of you have pictures of your reef safe butterfly?
 
I will try to post some pics when I get home tonight. I acclimated mine using the standard 15 minute temp. float, followed by an hour of drip acclimation. I adjust my drip rate so that the water volume doubles in an hour. He seemed to be fine.
 
I currently have a Henichus Diphreutes in my reef tank and he occasionally picks at my Zoa's and also ate a small colony of clove polyps over the course of 3-4 months but he has not touched any of my LPS or other softies like xenia.
I had a Mitratus B'Fly in my old tank and he would pick at my SPS (no damage done) but killed an entire Scoly in less than 2 days and slowly decimated my zoa colonies over a few months.
 
Thanks for those comments Triggerfish. I could handle that!
Enigma, let's see those picture!
Have any of you added the Diphreutes in sets, or just singly?
 
I had a school of six of them in my 600 but one of them decided to go ape and slowly picked off the others so i am now down to one. I hear this is very unusual for these fish to do that so I chalk it up to a freak incident.
 
I would go with a CCB thats my vote;)

I've had absolutely no problems with mine in my reef setup. Great addition/personality & color. Took to frozen food instantly. Only downfall was they will go after tube worms "Feather Dusters"
 
I had one in a reef tank too with no problems, but they are very difficult to keep. Do your homework before you get one. I would be hesitant to recommend them. There are reef safe butterflies out there that are easier to keep.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
Bristletooth chasing butterfly
Replies
1
Views
692
Reefing102
Reefing102
H
“Reef safe” angelfish or butterflies?
Replies
2
Views
495
jason2459
jason2459
K
Copperband butterfly
Replies
1
Views
650
OrionN
OrionN
Abyssopelagic
Multibar Angelfish Harems (In a 75 Gallon Deep Reef)
Replies
4
Views
502
Zionas
Z
A
Large reef tank from years ago?
Replies
5
Views
143
polywise
polywise
Back
Top