I'm thinking about a pearlscale butterfly.

[bdubbya]

I am going to change my 55 gal fw over to a fowlr. I was thinking of adding a school of 5 or so green chromis and adding a pearl scale six to seven months down the road. Do you think that would be long enough to let the tank establish? I don't want to rush it, because I know how sensitive butterflies can be. Do you think I could add any other fish? T4AH.

 

[logan15]

butterflys are very hard fish to keep if you want the best chance try and get one that you can watch eat at the petstore the very hard to get to eat correct me if im wrong but yes 6-7 months imo would be good enough 10 months or so would be better a year would be the best just to be cautious
-Logan-

 

[bdubbya]

Thank you for the replies. I difinitely considered how sensitive butterflies are, thus the light stocking. I am curious if I should add the butterfly before I add a bi-color angel, so that it will establish it's territory before the angel. I figured it would be ok just wanted some ideas. Thanks guys.

 

[krishj39]

Adding it before the angel sounds like a good idea, but probably not crucial. Also, are you aware that there are at least 2 main color variations for pearlscales? One is the more common color, and much cheaper to buy. It is more yellow and the red spot on its rear dorsal area is more of a muted color. There is also a pearlscale that comes from the Red Sea which usually cost around 50$. They are much more colorful, with a much brighter red color on that rear dorsal area. IMO, these are worth the extra money, not only for the color but also because fish from the Red Sea tend to be a bit hardier. Anyway, check it out. I'd love to get one myself someday.