Burgess Butterflyfish

[Angel_Anthias lover]

I have a red sea Reefer 350 and it has an aiptasia take over and I've always quite liked these butterflies, and have read they are more reef safe than other chaetodon butterflies as it's a deeper water species. I'm just wondering which coral species are likely to be at risk and if it will actually eat the aiptasia. I have acropora, montipora, stylophora, euphyllia corals, fungia,zoas, gsp, xenia , toadstool leather, sympodium, mushrooms ricordea and discosumma, chalice coral and a gorgonians. Also if there's other butterflyfish options that would be helpful too, Thanks in advance.

 

[dbl]

Giving this a bump to help get a response. I have no experience with the Burgess to offer any advice. But I will say I've had success with Copperbands and their help with aiptasia control.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Another option might be picking up a matted filefish. Then selling back or gifting after your aiptasia is dealt with.

 

[Triggreef]

I second Cooperband. They are most popular for a reason. That said I've never had a burgess but some others I've had with corals ate chalice. I'd also suspect they would mostly go for lps and not much else.

Filefish has worked for me in smaller frag tanks but I hear rumors of them going for zoas. I also have some unexplained zoa loss.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Thanks for the replies, I'm just worried the copper band would out grow my tank and have difficulty getting any food as I have 4 wrasses and 5 anthias. The filefish I may consider if I can find small ones, would radial filefish eat aiptasia too?

 

[puffy127]

I have a burgessi and it doesn't bother any of my corals. I have acros, montis, hammers, torches, a toadstool, and a gorgonian. I used to have a med-large RBTA which he did not bother, but when it split, he killed it. But of course, YMMV.

 

[Triggreef]

Thanks for the replies, I'm just worried the copper band would out grow my tank and have difficulty getting any food as I have 4 wrasses and 5 anthias. The filefish I may consider if I can find small ones, would radial filefish eat aiptasia too?

I use these in nearly all my tanks. Evens out the playing field especially for the butterflies.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

I have a burgessi and it doesn't bother any of my corals. I have acros, montis, hammers, torches, a toadstool, and a gorgonian. I used to have a med-large RBTA which he did not bother, but when it split, he killed it. But of course, YMMV.

Ok thanks for the info, is he able to compete for food in you tank

I use these in nearly all my tanks. Evens out the playing field especially for the butterflies.

Thanks I will look into one of those, they look like a good addition for feeding

 

[puffy127]

Ok thanks for the info, is he able to compete for food in you tank

Yes, no problem at all. 2nd most aggressive fish in my tank (1st being white tail bristletooth tang, 3rd being bicolor angel).

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Yes, no problem at all. 2nd most aggressive fish in my tank (1st being white tail bristletooth tang, 3rd being bicolor angel).

Cool I might consider one then , thanks, is he well behaved with the other fish

 

[puffy127]

Cool I might consider one then , thanks, is he well behaved with the other fish

Yes.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Anyone else got experience with this fish, with corals and aiptasia ?

 

[Triggreef]

@puffy127 do you have zoa in that tank? I'm interested to hear more about it. I have a big frag tank mostly zoa. Need some aptasia control in there.

 

[puffy127]

No zoas.

Interesting thing is I noticed a little while ago that my overflow has a bunch of aptasia in it, but zero in the DT. So either it has never made it into the DT (not likely) or he's doing a good job keeping it under control.

 

[Triggreef]

No zoas.

Interesting thing is I noticed a little while ago that my overflow has a bunch of aptasia in it, but zero in the DT. So either it has never made it into the DT (not likely) or he's doing a good job keeping it under control.

Same in my main tank. Aptasia in the over flows and sump only. Not many in the sump though I don't think they like the light on all the time. Have you tried zoas in the past with the butterfly or you just don't like them?

 

[puffy127]

Never tried zoas. Not really my thing.

 

[Triggreef]

Pulled the trigger on a burgess I came across on DD. 2 days in eating well, but no aptasias yet. Still hopeful.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Cool, keep us updated

 

[Pbh-reef]

curious to see how this goes for everyone so following along

 

[springdalemaple]

Might grab one tomorrow . Curious how its doing