Anyone keeping Butterfly fish?

[KingFish]

Just wondering if anyone is keeping, or have any experience with Butterfly fishes?

I do hear that they are very pretty but can be quite a menace with corals.

Thanks

[pospeh]

One of my favorites is the masked butterfly. Its from the red sea and has a golden yellow color and a racoon like blue patch on its face.

It will eat brine shrimp and I kept one for several years. But that was a fish only tank. I think it will probably eat corals, but i have never actually kept it with corals.

The only bad thing about it is the price

[KingFish]

Is it the Golden Semilarvatus? It is quite a beauty...

LiveAquaria recommends 'A diet of vitamin-enriched live foods or fresh clams may be needed in the beginning. Provide herbivore preparations once the fish begins eating'

Clams? ...

I kind like the CopperBand, and I've seen the Yellow Long Nose in some LFS.

How much do they usually go for? (yours must be quite ex)

[pospeh]

Yep, thats the scienific name.

I got mine from 5 years back for about $100. I think Sealife has one for sale now for 60.

The long nose type butterflies you mentioned are both very beautyful. I think they go for less than 10 at most shops. Of the two, I would go for the yellow long nose rather than the copperband as it is more hardy. You should have no trouble keeping one if your tank conditions are right.

[KingFish]

Wow, $100, Red Sea origins perhaps.

Sealife you say, ok, maybe drop by to take a look.

Besides their dietary requirements, anything else to consider?

I don't think they're totally compatible with Tangs and Surgeons <_<