Butterfly keepers advice please ..

saltykisses · Aug 11, 2014

So decided to suck it and see !

I put a threadfin (auriga) butterflyfish in my softie reef...

So far.. He's nipped at a few corals.. But nothing major.. I'm finding it hard to believe their as black as they paint....

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ImageUploadedByTapatalk1407746044.091298.jpg

This him sundance ... I introduced him with a blue eyed kole tang which I suspect is a twin spot blue eyed tang ... :-(.

Anyhow I'd love to see everyone's butterfly fishes and talk to people and share ideas....

Next order of buissness I'm gonna' try and build my reef around b f ... Sundance .. So er' would a ricordea be ok..???

Reefing Madness · Aug 11, 2014

For the most part I believe that they pick at SPS corals, more than softies.
I've got a CopperBand, and doesn't does not pick at my Softies at all.

richfavinger · Aug 11, 2014

I've had a Tahitian, Long-Nose Butterfly and Copper Banded... No one nipped... and they left my Zoa's alone... The Tahitian and Long Nose kept well, my Copper Banded lasted 8 months - was eating and seemed happy the whole time...

saltykisses · Aug 11, 2014

I think my nxt purchase is going to be ricordea and a pulsing xenia and we'll see how it goes...

saltykisses · Aug 11, 2014

Copper band and long noses they're very nice got any pics.... Love to see em!!!

saltykisses · Aug 12, 2014

Very pretty fish ...

richfavinger · Aug 12, 2014

Sorry saltykisses, they passed away from ich, and then I rebuilt the tank...
I'm waiting for Divers Den to get a LNB in, they are not having a run on butterflies lately.
He had an excellent personality, very open and "look at me" fish...

Carlson Moncrief · Aug 12, 2014

My copperband doesnt pick at anything

saltykisses · Aug 12, 2014

I wish their was someone who could help me make a list ???!!

Of what corals will be ok??

pickupman66 · Aug 12, 2014

Here is the thing... there is no truly 100% reef safe fish guaranteed not to eat coral. Any experienced reefer will agree. That said, most are 99% safe. As for butterflies it will be hit and miss. My cbb likes aptasia and pods and mysis. Otherwise model citizen. The yellow pyramid I had never looked at eating my corals.

Yours may eat sps and fleshy lps. It may like softies. It's twin may like frogspawns only.... trial and error

Fincasters · Sep 11, 2014

Butterflies are difficult for me -- but I've had luck feeding them PE Mysis shrimp. When they are happy and full -- they are less likely to pick at corals.