Since starting my first saltwater tank around 1988 or so, I have yet to keep a butterfly of any kind. Primarily because I've almost always kept reef tanks. Recently moved up from a 90 and am thinking of perhaps redoing that tank as a fish only. Would a butterfly be doable in a 90, or is it too small?
Stocking List
- Thread starter ca1ore
- Start date
Ever considered pyramid butterflies?
OK, have redone my list. Probably chalks and a Swales are not going to work unless I can remove the Dottyback, so .......
Desjardini Sailfin (already have one in QT) Tang
Achilles Tang - A definite
Pyramid Butterflys (thanks Peter!) - Probably a quintet (can I keep that many in a 265?)
Bartlett Anthias - probably another 3-5 females
Bipartitus Leopard Wrasse - one male, two females
Flasher Wrasse - Carpenter or Mcklosker (sp?)
Chalk Bass - small group, but only if I can remove the Splendid Dottyback
With the benefit of hindsight, and the ability to be persuaded all too easily, here is where I have ended up. Splendid Dottyback has been removed, and awaiting a new home. I liked the suggestion of a group of pyramids so much that I now have a quartet. Bought a trio of Vermiculate leopard wrasse off DD; male is happy in the display, females putting on size in the fuge. So at this point I have 27 fish. I also have, in various stages of QT, an Achilles Tang, a quartet of Bimac Anthias and a Swissgard Basslet. I've recently been suspecting latent ich in my system (only Hippo ever shows symptoms though) so have been reluctant to add any new fish. Assuming no problems, fish in QT will bring me up to 33.
Now that the Dottyback is removed, I'd still like to go for a group of chalk bass, I wonder how they would do with the Swissgard in a 265? Probably won't go for any more Bartlett Anthias; as pretty as they are, my trio are on their way to being three males .... not good! I'd also like to try to find a healthy black leopard, but that has proven a challenge so far. That'll be about it I think.
MIKE NY
Two Decade club
I had a breeding pair of chalkies and although they tend to stay together and out in open when small. They tend to become more solitary and hide in the rockwork when food isn't present as they maure....my male actually dug under rocks to hide...the pair would only get together when the main lights went out and either moons or actinics were on ..they were open water spawners close to the top splashing etc.. so a cover is a must. The males are very pretty in their breeding dress with an orange sheen over the gills and fins.
