Tinkers Butterfly in a Reef...

roktsintst

roktsintst

New member
I want to add a pair of tinkeri butterflys to my 300 gallon sps reef. I have angels in there know so i dont have any lps in there and some of the large angels do nip a little at the sps but dont cause much damage.

So, does anyone have any true experience with Tinkers with SPS?

Also, if anyone has any pictures please post themjust because they are cool!!!
 
My friend has a declevis that eats stylos. Otherwise, I think it's OK with acros. I know, not a tinkers, but darn close ;)
 
both tinkers and declivis will certainly nip but IME at unhealthy acros. The rest is fair game.
I've had both and currenlty looking into getting them again.
paired up they are one of the must beautiful fish in a tank.
 
gasman059 said:
both tinkers and declivis will certainly nip but IME at unhealthy acros.
Click to expand...

That's OK if it's your opinion. But, at least in my friends tank, it was not the case. Just happens to be an individual BF that likes stylos, that's all.
 
i have a declivis now.

putting LPS aside, it nips on my acro that was undergoing RTN.

otherwise, compeletely leaves everything alone.
 
Exactly as above must angels/and some butterflies not all( aside from the ones genetically predisposed to eat polyps) will in my experience nip and eat unhealthy acropora and completle ignore healhty corals when they have been properly fed.

While I'm not advocating to the everyday guy to buy 10 b-flies.
With some experience and right corals its not only beautiful but extremely rewarding to be able to house the right fish in the right environment.

The term "reef safe" should be banned forrm this hobby in my opinion b/c as Peter stated every fish is its own and has its own tendencies.

In my current reef I spent 6 months w/o an angel or any other non- reef safe fish and while it was ok it did not do anything for me.

So back to the salt mine to obatin many of this fish that are to my liking.

I think a mature healthy reef can house pretty much anything.

Plus the thread was started by an experienced reefer thus the response accordingly.
 
SDguy said:
My friend has a declevis that eats stylos. Otherwise, I think it's OK with acros. I know, not a tinkers, but darn close ;)
Click to expand...

Peter stylos are ugly anyways.

Burgess/tinkers/mitratus/semilarvatus provide for a beautiful reef:thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the replys guys!

This is pretty much what I expected but I wanted to see if there were any other thoughts on the topic. For some people it work, and others it doesn't... I do think a lot has to do with the fish. Some fish of the same species are mean and some are very passive. I suppose it is similar for nipping.

I have been looking for a 2"ish pair for quite a while to no avail. I think the small ones are incredible, plus ( i know its a long shot) I was hoping they would be a little less inclined to nip at polyps because they didn't spend so much time scavanging for food in the wild. I'd even like 3" but everything I find is 5". That is just too big to start with for a pair.

My reef does ok with nipping now. MY conspic has been taking bites out of the sps, not just nipping polyps! I hope the reef can handle it, but I feed VERY heavy to keep all the angels and anthias happy.

Any other thoughts and pictures are greatly appreciated!
 
AFAIK butterflies don't pair that small. And from what I've gathered, and IME, pairing butterflies is no fun, and generally requires multiple specimens. I'm not sure if this complex of butterflies is any different.

And FWIW, my friend still has the declevis... he just removed the stylos :D
 
IMO, butterflies > corals anyday.

i have a declivis, marginalis, longnose and still waiting to add a fremblii, marcellae, mitratus and paucifasciatus.

and i'm keeping a reef tank.
 
LemonLemon said:
IMO, butterflies > corals anyday.

i have a declivis, marginalis, longnose and still waiting to add a fremblii, marcellae, mitratus and paucifasciatus.

and i'm keeping a reef tank.
Click to expand...

A man after my own heart. marginalis are superb as is declivis and mitratus despite the fact that the last two tolerate each other but don't like each other.
 
SDguy said:
AFAIK butterflies don't pair that small. And from what I've gathered, and IME, pairing butterflies is no fun, and generally requires multiple specimens. I'm not sure if this complex of butterflies is any different.

And FWIW, my friend still has the declevis... he just removed the stylos :D
Click to expand...


I've heard that too. I really like the small ones but Im running out of space quickly so I need to make a decision on what I'd like to see in my tank. I really like the pair idea, but Im not sure I can provide enough personal space fr a 5" pair. I know that a 3" will eventually grow to a 5" and I planned on removing some of my bigger tangs once that time came. Hmmm.... Maybe i'll just add a single small one... Or maybe i'll add the larger pair... Hmmm.... What to do, What to do...
 
You know what Brad, Your right.

Steve, you need a picture thread with both your setups! Equipment and all. I want to see all those wrasses as well as the angel and butterfly tank! Come on Steve...We all want to see!

So, the other option, is to just add a nice Wrought Iron!!! (This is my son's favorite Fish so how do I not add one!)
 
Ryan, I've been trying for a LOOOONGG time to get Steve to show us. He's a great photographer in the ocean. He just wont do aquariums. Someday maybe. LOL

Your tank has to be getting right up there with all the great fish you have now. I cant remember, do you have a scribbled?
 
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