Butterflys and SPS?

Italeri · Oct 18, 2014

Anyone had experience with butterfly fish in their SPS systems? I have always liked the butterflys because of their superb colorations. Only thing is, I have been stocking my tank with high end SPS frags.. Dont want the butterflys to kill anything!

lucky7 · Oct 18, 2014

That's a major risk, one I wouldn't take. Even if someone says they had success with one type it doesn't mean it won't eat your coral.

Italeri · Oct 18, 2014

See i was always under the impression that butterflys ate softies and lps.. Am I wrong? I havent done much research on them

ycnibrc · Oct 18, 2014

the only butterfly I can recommend for reef tank is the yellow pyramid butterfly. The key to all butterfly and angel are keeping them well fed then they will leave your corals alone.

cultivatedcoral · Oct 18, 2014

Never had a problem with my copperband in 4 years in my SPS tank.

Aquaph8 · Oct 18, 2014

Chelmon butterflies along with forcipiger (longnose and copperband and a couple others) are generally pretty safe with SPS but can occasionally cause problems with fleshy LPS and Zoanthids.

hemitaurichthys (pyramid and zoster) are usually safe with everything, I've heard a couple cases of problems with gorgonians however

Others that are worth a shot for the risky or those good with fish traps include prognathodes species along with roapes (Mitratus, tinkers and burgess)

saltykisses · Oct 22, 2014

Also reefsafe with caution are facula butterfly,but every fish is different...

marinelife · Oct 22, 2014

I have 6 yellow pyramid butterfly fish in my sps tank without issue, they are great fish for an SPS Tank

Av8Bluewater · Oct 22, 2014

Some people keep non reef safe butterflys in SPS systems but I think they intro them after the SPS are mature and very large tank.
If it's a frag my understanding they will nip on SPS frags which they may not live. A big colony being nipped at may be able to live as long as it's not being nipped at too much.
I'm sure a lot depends on how much/what you feed.
Emperor and Regals are a couple of my favorites. I'm too chicken to try it. Maybe down the road.
Edit: oops I was thinking about angelfish