Butterflies?

[mweezy05]

I know that butterfly fish are not the best reef safe fish out there, but which ones if any are the best bet to have in a reef tank?

I love butterflies and hope that I can incorporate them into my reef, but I don't want to jepordize the rest of the reef.
If anyone could provide a list of "reef safe" butterflies that would be great. And possibly the type of care needed to keep them, ex) easy, moderate, or hard.
Thanks!!!

 

[nicetry]

Of the chaetodons, none are completely reef safe, and those that are better bets will sometimes develop bad habits. There are a few deep water species (declivis, mitratus, tinkers, and burgess) that come from areas of limited coral growth. These are pricey when you can get them, but do better in cool water systems. Some acclimate to warmer reef tank temps but again, they can feed on corals. Probably the best bet is the planktivore H. polyleptis or Pyramid butterfly. Hardy, do good in small groups and nice looking as well.

 

[mweezy05]

Thanks, anymore info???

 

[lesleybird]

I would throw in a pygme angelfish, a couple of clowns, a colorful fairy wrass and be happy! Oh...how about a colorful tang if your tank is big enough?

 

[porthosandjazz]

The copper banded butterflyfish I had didn't touch any of my coral at all

 

[autofreak44]

ya i know a few ppl on here have coral banded butterfly fish

 

[emporer angel]

i got a heniochus and hes doing great. very hardy, active and great looking. eating out of my hand at the lfs and ate like a pig the same day he was in my tank. at first he was bullied by my yellow tang but now they are just fine. ive heard they are reef safe about half of the time

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by emporer angel
i got a heniochus and hes doing great. very hardy, active and great looking. eating out of my hand at the lfs and ate like a pig the same day he was in my tank. at first he was bullied by my yellow tang but now they are just fine. ive heard they are reef safe about half of the time

You will hear many things while you are stocking your tank with inappropriate fish. Did you qt the Heni?

 

[sepulatian]

https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/232470/list-of-fish-inverts-that-hobbiests-should-avoid
scroll down, there are butterflies that should not be kept by aquarists. Buy the book "Marine Fishes" by Scott Michael. It is a guide that shows each fish, their compatibility, likely-hood of survival, tank needs ect.

 

[mweezy05]

Lesleybird - I was only asking about butterflies, I am pretty solid about other fish, but thanks for the info.
Thanks guys.