Thoughts on Mitratus Butterfly and tank size

[A sea K]

I have a new 80gal build I'm just starting, with the Mitratus Butterfly being one of my favorite fish.

I realize 80gal is on the small side however it is a shallow rimless with a fairly large footprint of 24x48. I like to believe this would be sufficient but am seeking advice from those with actual experience with the Mitratus.

Any opinions for or against keeping one in this size DT?

Thanks, Chris

 

[GimpyFin]

Awesome fish, and quite hardy. I have one in a 110 tall (48x18x30) and he does well. He's fairly active and loves to swim around in the rock work hunting and pecking. Even swims up top in the open with the extra height. 16" might be just a tad on the shallow side, but a 4x2 footprint is otherwise fine, IMO.

 

[Dmorty217]

Think you should be fine. They rarely grow larger than 3.5"

 

[A sea K]

Thank you both for the input. I've been looking into their requirements and I do have some concerns about the shallow depth of my system (16").
I've also got a lot of mixed reviews on their reef safeness, sadly it seems Acans are a possible target and I have quite a few of them with more planned after the new upgrade.

 

[GimpyFin]

Yeah, LPS and some softies can be a target for them but it'll just depend on the individual fish, kinda like some of the angels. Mine nips at my green button polyps, but that's about it. I knew there was that possibility, so it doesn't really bother me. I don't have a ton of corals, but most of what I have is SPS (Which he doesn't touch.)

 

[Dmorty217]

The fish is worth the nipping risk IMO

 

[A sea K]

Good info and thank you both.
I just hope they will still be available (LADD) when I'm ready as I have no good local source for one.

 

[jmicky41]

Mine has been in a 60" x 18" for a long time, you should be fine.

 

[GimpyFin]

Good info and thank you both.
I just hope they will still be available (LADD) when I'm ready as I have no good local source for one.

Yes, Diver's Den is where I got mine and they do get them in off and on. They have 1 currently that has been on there for a little while now.

 

[A sea K]

Yes, Diver's Den is where I got mine and they do get them in off and on. They have 1 currently that has been on there for a little while now.

Yes, I keep checking on him and noticed early last week they had 2. Wish I was ready now but unfortunately I am not.