Wrought Iron Butterfly - Chaetodon daedalma

[invincible569]

Does your Wrought Iron Butterfly in the Divers Den nip on corals?

 

[dfs/la2]

invincible569,

Thank you for your important question about our Wrought Iron Butterfly featured on our Diver’s Den Site. There is always the possibility Butterfly fish will nip on corals and the Wrought Iron Butterfly is no exception. We would recommend caution if you are considering adding this fish to a reef aquarium.

Pat S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[invincible569]

do you guys have a test reef system you can place him in to see if he has any interest in corals?

 

[dfs/la2]

invincible569,

Thank you for your additional inquiry. We will be checking with our coral farm in regards to this, and will be posting additional information tomorrow.

Mike S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[Liquidfins]

For his cost there must be a "guinea pig" you could use.

 

[dfs/la2]

Liquidfins,

Thank you for your patience. The Wrought Iron Butterfly we currently have in the Aquaculture Coral & Marine Life Facility loves to pick at Zoanthus and Trachyphyllia, and would definitely not make a good candidate for a reef aquarium. Butterfly fish of the genus Chaetodon spp. are a risk when trying to introduce any of these fish to a reef aquarium. By nature these fish constantly pick at the substrate, rocks, and coral foraging all throughout the day.

Joyce
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith