Semilavartus Golden Butterfly

[Recty]

You can see my old semilarvatus here in quarantine...

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And then here, in the tank...

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They were really great fish and seemed to act like a true pair (except during feeding time) and swam around everywhere together, they even slept in the same area every night.

Mine died due to my first real experience in the hobby with ich, but up until that point they both lived together fine. They were only up to about 4 inches max though, so definitely not full adults.

 

[ROBONE20]

Just drop the hammer and buy a few more Semilarvatus, as I'm guessing they do better in groups. I was at the Georgia Aquarium and they had quite a few (in the tank near the gift shop) in one tank and they seemed to be doing okay. Since Semilarvatus are my favorite fish, I spent quite a bit of time watching them (I think people thought I was nuts). I was counting them as well... $100, $200, $300...

I'll see if I can dig up the photos.

LOL. What's funny is I was actually thinking about buying 3 more down the road. Instead of getting other butterflies, I figured I add to the group. So far so good though...I removed the egg crate and they're getting along fine for the past 2 days. Not very shy at all, even in QT. Other fish I've had in QT were very skittish. These guys are awesome. Hopefully they can co-habitate. The prazipro that I added yesterday, got rid of the white film on their tails already. Prazipro is the way to go.

 

[ROBONE20]

You can see my old semilarvatus here in quarantine...

And then here, in the tank...

They were really great fish and seemed to act like a true pair (except during feeding time) and swam around everywhere together, they even slept in the same area every night.

Mine died due to my first real experience in the hobby with ich, but up until that point they both lived together fine. They were only up to about 4 inches max though, so definitely not full adults.

Don't you wish ICH never existed?! I actually googled Semilarvartus and came across this youtube video...cool to know that was yours. What I'm glad to see was that you had a Purple Tang in your DT with them. My Purple Tang is a punk, he actually killed my Magnificent Foxface. Hopefully he doesn't mess with my butterflies.

 

[Recty]

My semilarvatus were actually pretty much the kings of the tank. Sure, everyone was pretty small so there was none of the big fish pecking order going on, but no one bugged them at all.

Yes, ich is a very annoying thing. I've learned how to deal with it now but it almost caused me to leave the hobby 2 years ago when I set up my first big tank.

 

[jbeard82]

Did you have a UV sterilizer? I was told by people that had one that it took care of all their ick problems.

 

[Big E]

Groups are not any easier than pairs, as a matter of fact they are more difficult. I've kept 4 & had problems. Although they paired off the dominant pair was very aggressive. For a few years they were separated by egg crate. I added two more smaller ones to try & change the dynamics & one of the new ones turned on his mate even though they were fine together alone.

I removed the one getting bullied & 5 got along fine. There isn't any secret number or size that works. If your going to go with more than two be prepared to separate or add more if you have the tank size to house them. Even with a pair you may have to take a few stabs before you get a compatible pair. You probably aren't going to know for sure until they mature. It's safer to get a larger pair(4-5") as they are likely to get along long term if they do initially.

As far a purple tangs go I have an 8" PT that was the boss but never bothered any of the Semis in a 180g tank.

 

[ROBONE20]

I guess I'll be waiting to see how this pair does. Hopefully they will survive the quarantine process, then I'll be good to go. Glad to hear your PT never bothered them. Hopefully mine won't either.

 

[ROBONE20]

Did you have a UV sterilizer? I was told by people that had one that it took care of all their ick problems.

I don't think a UV sterilizer will solve all Ich problems. Not sure that they do anything with Ich. But I never had a UV sterilizer LOL. I hear they do well in maintaining algae problems though.

 

[jbeard82]

Well they do do a good job with unwanted algae. But i have a friend who swears by them and he had his tank for years with no ick problems. My LFS has all there tanks set up with UV sterilizers as well. They swear by them!!!

 

[jbeard82]

Right now I'm feeding Hikari Mysis Shrimp, and they love it. It's only been a few days now, but I plan on trying some Spirulina Brine Shrimp, too. You can do PE Mysis Shrimp also. Last night I tried some NLS pellets, but they spit it back out. My goal is to get them fat and healthy, then transition to NLS pellets before I dropped them in the DT. All my fish in my current DT have transitioned to pellets and it's so much easier to feed them. By the way I try feeding 2x per day, and I soak at least one of those feedings with Vita-Chem.

How long did it take before your butterfly accepted frozen food? Iv had mine since tuesday now and he dosent seem interested in anything. Iv been feeding everything in my tank Frozen angel and butterfly diet by Sally's San Franciso Bay Brand. Then I tried some mysis shrimp. And nothing. Hes more interested in picking at the rock it seems. Any suggestions?

 

[SDguy]

Try finely minced scallop from the grocery store. I have yet to find a butterfly that didn't go for it. Clam/mussel on the half shell would be my next option. Also, live blackworms are a big hit with butterflies.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Did you have a UV sterilizer? I was told by people that had one that it took care of all their ick problems.

UV cannot cure an ich infestation. UV is good with algae, which is why pondkeepers love it; but parasite control is something else. It may help, but ich control requires 100% eradication, which is impossible with UV. IMO, it often does more harm than good by providing a false sense of security and delaying real treatment.

 

[jbeard82]

Try finely minced scallop from the grocery store. I have yet to find a butterfly that didn't go for it. Clam/mussel on the half shell would be my next option. Also, live blackworms are a big hit with butterflies.

Ok well i just tried some frozen cyclopeeze that i feed my clowns and hes in love!!! I wont just feed him that, but im glad hes actually gettin some food down. Ill go pick up some clams this afternoon. lol:celeb1:

 

[ROBONE20]

How long did it take before your butterfly accepted frozen food? Iv had mine since tuesday now and he dosent seem interested in anything. Iv been feeding everything in my tank Frozen angel and butterfly diet by Sally's San Franciso Bay Brand. Then I tried some mysis shrimp. And nothing. Hes more interested in picking at the rock it seems. Any suggestions?

My butterflies ate the same day I got them. They ate at the LFS before I bought them too, but I usually don't feed new fish for a day or two, this usually gets them hungry. If he's picking on rock that's a good sign. There could be some left over food in the crevices that he might be eating. Just make sure not to overfeed during this time as your water quality may deteriorate. Be patient, it'll eat the Mysis soon. You can try soaking in garlic or selcon to entice him.

 

[ROBONE20]

Try finely minced scallop from the grocery store. I have yet to find a butterfly that didn't go for it. Clam/mussel on the half shell would be my next option. Also, live blackworms are a big hit with butterflies.

+1 on the clams and blackworms.

 

[diverdan814]

I kept up to 5 in a 180 with no problems for many years. I kept them well fed and there were many other community fish around. They were 5-8" too!

I did add them at the same time. They were about 4-5" when I got them.

 

[SDguy]

I kept up to 5 in a 180 with no problems for many years. I kept them well fed and there were many other community fish around. They were 5-8" too!

I did add them at the same time. They were about 4-5" when I got them.

Can you give us details? How many is "up to" 5? How long each? What other fish were in the tank (ie how densely, or not, was it populated)? How did they interact with each other, especially during feeding time? Thanks

 

[diverdan814]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lewai-iLW4U
The first tank you see in this video is of my Butterfly/Angel fish tank. This was a fish only tank and I fed them numerous small meals throughout the day. If a fish got too aggressive, he was put into my 210, where there were triggers. Such was the case with an Aurega b-fly. But during feeding time, there was never a problem.

 

[ROBONE20]

WOW. This gives me hope. Maybe I should start looking for more. They look really nice together like that.

 

[ROBONE20]

Here's an update...so far they only eat Mysis Shrimp. They spit out the Spirulina Brine and don't even touch pellets. Anyone got their butterflies to eat pellets? They're the only 2 in QT right now and they seem to get along fine now, too. Prazipro treatment is complete (2 treatments - 1 week each), wondering if I should hit them with another treatment of prazi. 1 butterfly seems to be starting to grow a small lymphocyst on its top fin, not sure though - it's really small.