butterfly fish for a reef tank?

[ashaegyee]

which type of butterfly fish can keep in a reef tank?

[pokmingsheng]

which type of butterfly fish can keep in a reef tank?

hi bro..

you can take a look at this link on butterfly fishes

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+25

there're information in there that states if they're compatible for a reef tank..

[yikai]

the butterflies posted on liveaquaria is very very limited. and by reefsafe, they usually don't specify coral safe or not. butterflies are a complex group of fish that is difficult to determine their reefsafeness.

as a general rule, no butterfly is reefsafe. however, there are some that are compatible in reef tanks. i.e, rarely eat corals.

- pyramid butterflies. (both black and yellow)

* these two groups of butterflyfishes are planktivores in the wild and eat only plankton. they are therefore, theoratically, reefsafe. i've never see them eating corals or pecking on rocks for that matter. however, as with nature, there may be exceptions. but for this butterfly, chances of eating coral is <1%. 100% safe with SPS

- the chelmon butterflies. (copperband, marginalis butterfly, muelleri butterflyfish)

* these are not safe with tube worms. however, they are relatively safe with corals. in the wild, they eat invertebrates such as worms and do not eat corals. in the tank however, very rarely will they sample corals. by far one of the safest butterflies. chances of eating coral 5-10% (might be lower). i've kept more than 10 copperbands and none eat corals. 100% safe with SPS.

- the prognathodes butterflies (prognathodes marcellae, prognathodes aya etc)

* these are expensive, deepwater butterflies that require cooler water. not for beginners. they are however, very safe with corals. they are also very uncommon. chances of eating corals 5-10%. SPS safe.

- the forcipiger butterflies. (Yellow longnose butterflyfish)

* same as copperband. will eat all your tube worms but is generally a very safe butterflyfish. chances of eating coral 5-10% (might be lower). i've kept many before and none eat my corals. 100% SPS safe.

- the roaops butterflies. (Declivis butterfly, mitratus butterfly, tinkeri butterfly)

* very expensive, deepwater, and rare. but very very hardy. in the wild, they live so deep that corals are rare. thus, not a natural part of their diet. however, not as reefsafe as the above, but certainly more reefsafe than the other species of butterflies. chances of eating corals 30-40%. Safe with SPS although prolonged nipping may cause stress.

- bannerfish.

*contrary to popular belief, none of them are reef safe. even both sister species with very similar appearance. tried both, both also eat.

Any other species of butterflies should not be considered reef safe at all. the above few are the only ones you should consider, except bannerfish.

hope my advice helps you. if you dunno what the fishes i posted above look like, do a google search

[ashaegyee]

thanks

[bigbird]

the butterflies posted on liveaquaria is very very limited. and by reefsafe, they usually don't specify coral safe or not. butterflies are a complex group of fish that is difficult to determine their reefsafeness.

as a general rule, no butterfly is reefsafe. however, there are some that are compatible in reef tanks. i.e, rarely eat corals.

- pyramid butterflies. (both black and yellow)

* these two groups of butterflyfishes are planktivores in the wild and eat only plankton. they are therefore, theoratically, reefsafe. i've never see them eating corals or pecking on rocks for that matter. however, as with nature, there may be exceptions. but for this butterfly, chances of eating coral is <1%. 100% safe with SPS

- the chelmon butterflies. (copperband, marginalis butterfly, muelleri butterflyfish)

* these are not safe with tube worms. however, they are relatively safe with corals. in the wild, they eat invertebrates such as worms and do not eat corals. in the tank however, very rarely will they sample corals. by far one of the safest butterflies. chances of eating coral 5-10% (might be lower). i've kept more than 10 copperbands and none eat corals. 100% safe with SPS.

- the prognathodes butterflies (prognathodes marcellae, prognathodes aya etc)

* these are expensive, deepwater butterflies that require cooler water. not for beginners. they are however, very safe with corals. they are also very uncommon. chances of eating corals 5-10%. SPS safe.

- the forcipiger butterflies. (Yellow longnose butterflyfish)

* same as copperband. will eat all your tube worms but is generally a very safe butterflyfish. chances of eating coral 5-10% (might be lower). i've kept many before and none eat my corals. 100% SPS safe.

- the roaops butterflies. (Declivis butterfly, mitratus butterfly, tinkeri butterfly)

* very expensive, deepwater, and rare. but very very hardy. in the wild, they live so deep that corals are rare. thus, not a natural part of their diet. however, not as reefsafe as the above, but certainly more reefsafe than the other species of butterflies. chances of eating corals 30-40%. Safe with SPS although prolonged nipping may cause stress.

- bannerfish.

*contrary to popular belief, none of them are reef safe. even both sister species with very similar appearance. tried both, both also eat.

Any other species of butterflies should not be considered reef safe at all. the above few are the only ones you should consider, except bannerfish.

hope my advice helps you. if you dunno what the fishes i posted above look like, do a google search

[sun2000]

\- bannerfish.

*contrary to popular belief, none of them are reef safe. even both sister species with very similar appearance. tried both, both also eat.

Any other species of butterflies should not be considered reef safe at all. the above few are the only ones you should consider, except bannerfish.

Nearly bought some banner fish from iwarna today they had many in this shipment also many small copperbands and longnose butterfly......Hmmm not reef safe... tempting as they really look good

[yikai]

Nearly bought some banner fish from iwarna today they had many in this shipment also many small copperbands and longnose butterfly......Hmmm not reef safe... tempting as they really look good

banner fish no. even the schooling bannerfish have been known to nip corals.

copperband and longnose are better choice