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tygerfifteen
Guest
one at my lfs, says its reef safe any idea?
looks similar to a vagabond butterfly
looks similar to a vagabond butterfly
brooklyn johnny
Active Member
Chaetodon sedentarius has the common name reef butterfly, one of the few Atlantic species. Who knows though at a LFS. Here's a pic of what it is if they have it identified correctly.
Pretty much all of the butterflies of the Chaetodon genus are hit or miss when it comes to their "safeness" in reef tanks. Depends also on what you keep in the tank. The VP of my club has had a raccoon in his tank for a while with success, but has mainly sps corals. I don't recommend you trying one unless you truly know what you're getting into and are willing to take the risk, but if you do out of this genus go for plankton feeders.
For the most "reef safe" look for those in the Hemitauricthys genus, like the pyramid or zoster butterfly. Also look into the long nosed butterflies, or Heniochus diphreutes. Before you make the decision though do some research.
Butterflies are not for the novice, and especially not for the novice reef tank.
Pretty much all of the butterflies of the Chaetodon genus are hit or miss when it comes to their "safeness" in reef tanks. Depends also on what you keep in the tank. The VP of my club has had a raccoon in his tank for a while with success, but has mainly sps corals. I don't recommend you trying one unless you truly know what you're getting into and are willing to take the risk, but if you do out of this genus go for plankton feeders.
For the most "reef safe" look for those in the Hemitauricthys genus, like the pyramid or zoster butterfly. Also look into the long nosed butterflies, or Heniochus diphreutes. Before you make the decision though do some research.
Butterflies are not for the novice, and especially not for the novice reef tank.
brooklyn johnny
Active Member
I have no first hand experience with Heniochus, but the consensus on them is this. There are two very similar species of bannerfish that appear the same, but are two different species, H. diphreutes and H. acuminatus. Diphreutes is reputed to be reef safe (in general) and acuminatus not (in general).
The easiest way to tell the two species apart is by looking at the anal fin. On diphreutes the stripe ends in the corner of the anal fin, and on acuminatus further up the anal fin. I'll try and find pics to demonstrate. Realize they need large tank long term also...
The easiest way to tell the two species apart is by looking at the anal fin. On diphreutes the stripe ends in the corner of the anal fin, and on acuminatus further up the anal fin. I'll try and find pics to demonstrate. Realize they need large tank long term also...
brooklyn johnny
Active Member
Heniochus acuminatus
brooklyn johnny
Active Member
Heniochus diphreutes... see the difference on the anal fin? Search around and you'll get some info. Don't ask the LFS guy...
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tygerfifteen
Guest
that's the one johnny is it safe? I got button,greenstar polyps,colt,finger and mushroom corals?
flamingkingofhe
Active Member
no i would not try that one in a reef