What is the natural behavior of yellow pyramid butterflies?

[sugartooth]

Hello, I am thinking of eventually getting a group of these for a 280 gallon-6 foot tank.

My questions are:

- do they occur in groups naturally?
- How many is considered a desirable group?
- Is 280 gallon enough space? So far, I have a Desjardini Tang, copperband butterfly, and powder blue tang that's going in the tank--any problems here?

- If you have them in your mixed reef tank......how have they been and can I see a picture please?

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[snorvich]

I am not sure how a copperband will relate to them. I have a group of 4 with a Chevron and a group of 3 with a gem tang with no issues. They don't really shoal but they are compatible with others of their species. Four should be fine in a 280. they eat like champs and act as if I starve them to death even with multiple feedings per day. I don't do tank photography, so I can't help you there. Good luck.

 

[IFbettas]

Yes, they are naturally found in groups feeding on zooplankton in the water column. IME they ignore each other when in captivity. The ones I have kept have never noticed each other, atleast that is how I have interpreted it. I currently have 2 in my 180 gallon mixed reef with a sailfin tang, powder blue tang, and yellow tang. They have never nipped anything as far as I know.

 

[sugartooth]

Thank you kindly Snorvich and IFbettas.

Some follow up questions:

- Any problems if you can't find them all at once? Would it be best to wait for them all?

- How are Pyramids vs. Tinkers or Mitratus? Based on my current stock and for a mixed reef that is more towards sps, would Pyramids still be the best choice?


- Has anyone tried large copperband with Pyramids?


My back up plan would be a small group of fairy wrasses. Would that be a better route based on my livestock vs. pyramids?

 

[sugartooth]

push

 

[jsf668]

Thank you kindly Snorvich and IFbettas.

Some follow up questions:

- Any problems if you can't find them all at once? Would it be best to wait for them all?

I would also like to know how easy it would be to introduce another when I already have one in a 180G. I sure would love to get another..Great fish.

 

[Dejavu]

You can find your anwser here http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/43-fish-profile-.

They are great fish. I have 4 in a 270. As stated they seem like they are alway hungry. I feed mine 4-5 time a day. As for add a few more later, I don't see you having any problem with that. Of course you should put them in QT befroe you add them to your display .

 

[sugartooth]

Thank you very much Brian.
Is there a high risk for problems with a large copperband if done as a group of Pyramids?

 

[Dejavu]

I have never kept a CB with pyramid, but my guess is that you will have no issues considering the size of your tank and the fact that pyramids are not very aggressive.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Normally I have issues keeping fish in unnatural social conditions. I know these fish are found in groups in the wild, but if they appear to ignore each other in the tank, do you think 1 is just as good as 3? I mean compared to a real group like you'd see in the wild, 3 is still nothing.

 

[sugartooth]

Brian, thank you again. I am hopeful now.


Lobster, good question. So, my question is are they ignoring each other because some 'community' fish like to hang out with each other and some don't (I don't know, like some geese)? ....or there isn't a reason to do so in that particular tank? I've never been diving so I wouldn't know how any fish really behave.

Those are wonderful pictures, do you happen to know what those other fish are in the background (dark with light tail) of the second picture?

What are your thoughts? If you agree with multiples, how many would you think is a good group? Or would you suggest to wait until a group comes into the store and observe their behavior in the store? Do I need to make them group together if I get more than one and they just ignore? Is that a sign that something is wrong?

If you say it should only be one, should I just stock the tank with the 2 tangs, 1 pyramid, and copperband and be done with it?

 

[snorvich]

I have a group in each of my tanks. They do not shoal, if that is what you are seeking, but they don't have any negative interactions either. For the most part, each one does their own thing. In the wild, they tend to aggregate for feeding purposes but as far as I am able to tell from observation (I am a diver), there is no social interaction. You do not have to introduce them all at once. There may be initial bickering as with introduction of almost any new fish, but nothing serious.

I highly recommend this fish.

 

[sugartooth]

Thank you, I really like this fish as well. I like them more and more as people post their experience. It would be nice to see them stick together if I have a group, but I won't be disappointed if they don't. For all I know, being 5-6 feet apart is considered being 'together' for them.

I have only seen these once or twice at stores, so hopefully I can find a few sometime in the next 4 months.

Thanks again everyone, I am pretty set on these as my top pick to add to the tank.

 

[snorvich]

Reef Hot Spot usually has them. I have not seen them in Chicagoland, but then again, I don't frequent LFS.

 

[Western_reefer]

Yellow Pyramid Butterflies are AWESOME! I'd totally get a group for my 180 gallon but I don't have more room for more fish... lol Wish I had a bigger tank... lols

 

[E.intheC]

Not trying to start a debate, but what's the smallest tank you'd recommend for the Pyramid? I have a 72 gallon tank (about 90 gallons system volume) and am trying to get a stock list going.