SPS and Yellow Pyramid Butterfly

[MACH5]

Hey guys,

I have two Yellow Pyramid Butterfly fish in my SPS tank. I have been noticing in some SPS some reduction on polyp extension. I have noticed this happening mainly on just the tips and not in the interior branches where there is full extension. This sort of leads me to believe that it may be the butterfly that are doing some nipping?? Has anyone have noticed this with these fish even though they are "reef safe"?

Thanks!!

 

[Reef264]

"Reef Safe", is a Term that doesn't mean much anymore, with all the crazy success that people have with the most not Reef Safe fish.As for your Yellow Pyramid Butterfly, Unless there is something else "Reef Safe" in there, I would suspect the butterfly as the #1 Culprit.

For what's it is worth, I had a Longnose Butterfly in my Tank for about 4 weeks and it hadn't touched anything in that period of time, Until one day I walked in the room and discovered it destroying my Birds of Paradise like a Machine, I mean Attacking it!I fed it 5 times a day trying to prevent it from happening.It had a fantastic personality to it though, had it not signed its death warrant, I would still hopefully be keeping it.

I really hope this isn't the case with yours...

Cheers!

 

[MACH5]

Thanks Reef264! Yes the only other fish in the tank are clowns and a school of blue chromis. So the butterflies are highly suspect at this point.

I am keeping and eye of my SPS and testing my water as we speak to make sure nothing else is going on. The color on the SPS is spot on so that led me to suspect the fish. Also I have recently cut back a bit on feeding to combat some cyano and this could also have prompted the fish to look elsewhere for food. Hopefully this nipping will not affect the health and growth of my SPS.

Please anybody else chime in specially if you're keeping these Pyramid Butterflies.

 

[Reef264]

Try feeding the Butterfly Mussels on the half Shell, Mine loved that!Try a lot of Meaty foods high in protein, I.E. Squid, Mussels, Shrimp, whatever seems good.Usually that way the only food you see Is the food it eats, so there is no left over detritus.If I were you, I would do everything in my power to keep that fish, butterfly's are some seriously beautiful fish!

 

[MACH5]

Yes agreed, I waited a long time to get these fish and they are really great and beautiful as you mentioned.

Thanks, I will try and feed more meaty stuff to cut back on waste. My Hanna PO4 tested at .07 which probably explains my cyano outbrake. Time for some serious WCs!!

 

[tmz]

I have had one for abut 5 years. it doesn't bother sps but I have seen it nip nepthea occasionally.

 

[MACH5]

Thanks TMZ!

 

[tmz]

You are welcome. It's one of my favorites. Good luck.

 

[rolodex1]

+1 on the butterflies

 

[Whalehead9]

They ate all my Xenia, and Anthelia, saved me the hassle. Have not touched anything else in 3+yrs.

 

[Dejavu]

I have had a pair for a few yrs now and never had them pick at anything..

 

[giants4pc]

Have two...no issues at all

 

[imarkspeed]

i have had mines for 2 years! never a problem till one day started eating my acans then polyps then all my zenias!! i have to take him out.... it hurts me just saying it. i have feed it like crazy but nothing. i have herd that once they get bigger and older they are no good... good luck

 

[MACH5]

Thanks guys for all the responses! I have noticed them nipping on the outskirts of my efflo. Doesn't seem to be much of a problem except the polyp extension on the very tips is not quite what it used to get.

So yes they may be "reef safe" but with caution :uhoh3: I am trying to up their feeding somewhat to try an offset the nipping.

 

[MACH5]

Imarkspeed: Sorry to hear! I do hope that's not the case with mine. Time will tell. I love these fish!!

 

[SDguy]

I had a zoster that ate gorg polyps. SPS aren't that much of a stretch...

 

[MACH5]

I agree! No doubt that they can. I have caught them casually nipping at my efflo. So if they nip at one SPS they...