Choosing the Corallivore Butterflies to Train

[livinlifeinBKK]

Hey reefers, this weekend I'm headed over to the market to pick up a couple juvenile obligate corallivore butterfly species but haven't made up my mind which I want. I'm going to be training them to eat more traditional foods (no coral). Before anyone tells me how impossible this is, I've done it before with success. And no, I don't think of myself as some kind of "fish savior" or anything like that, I just have developed a strong interest in these fish and my actual purpose is to study these fish in regards to husbandry requirements, any negative habits they may carry out in a DT (apart from eating coral before being weaned onto another diet), and to carry out research in order to learn more about the individual species so that one day they may be available commonly in the hobby.


Here's a video of one of the shops carrying a variety of obligate corallivores near me here in Bangkok.
I have done research on the topic and past failures and partial successes and aim to continue that research where it was left.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I will be documenting everything I can think to record and share it with anyone who is interested.

 

[awwinterfall]

keep us updated. I would like to see baronessa and bennetti

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

keep us updated. I would like to see baronessa and bennetti

Well...guess what swam into a shop near me yesterday... C. bennetti!

 

[awwinterfall]

Let us know if you did get it

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Let us know if you did get it

In the morning I'll get one...it's night time here

 

[i cant think]

That pakistan looks beautiful! That could be a good pick up if you ever see one again, forgotten the scientific name of most these fish, I have also had the same interest spike up as what you have.
The circled guy is the one I’ve forgotten the name of but he would be a great move if you do see it in the future!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

That pakistan looks beautiful! That could be a good pick up if you ever see one again, forgotten the scientific name of most these fish, I have also had the same interest spike up as what you have.
The circled guy is the one I’ve forgotten the name of but he would be a great move if you do see it in the future!

I didn't notice him when I was at that shop but the reason I shied away from that group was because they had been there for a week or so and a few were scratching themselves so I was trying to avoid any possible ich...I know a week isn't long to be at a shop but that shop isn't the best...she just throws some artemia pellets in there and that's all the effort she puts into feeding them for however long they're there... lately there have been fresh batches of juveniles that size every couple weeks

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

The Bennetti just got to the shop maybe 24 hours ago

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I'm doing a ton of research into these fish in scientific papers and anywhere else online I can to try to piece together what it is they need to thrive...I also have a Peppered Butterfly if you're interested in those guys...I guess you'd call him a facultative corallivore

 

[Big E]

I'm doing a ton of research into these fish in scientific papers and anywhere else online I can to try to piece together what it is they need to thrive...I also have a Peppered Butterfly if you're interested in those guys...I guess you'd call him a facultative corallivore

If I remember right, these are fairly easy to get eating

Chaetodon guttatissimus summary page

www.fishbase.us

 

[Big E]

There is some info here that may interest you. If you can contact him he's done quite a bit with Butterflyfish.
He occasionally is on R2R. If I can remember his handle I'll pass on to you.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

There is some info here that may interest you. If you can contact him he's done quite a bit with Butterflyfish.
He occasionally is on R2R. If I can remember his handle I'll pass on to you.

I've been in contact with him! And those guys are pretty easy to get eating!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

That pakistan looks beautiful! That could be a good pick up if you ever see one again, forgotten the scientific name of most these fish, I have also had the same interest spike up as what you have.
The circled guy is the one I’ve forgotten the name of but he would be a great move if you do see it in the future!

I held off on getting the Bennetti because I was worried my other butterfly was sick and was concerned he would get the Bennetti sick...turns out he's fine though...btw, if you like Pakistani butterflies check out this video the same shop posted a couple days ago!...btw, around what do Pakistani butterflies cost in the States these days? Please tell me the liveaquaria.com price isn't on par...

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

 

[i cant think]

I held off on getting the Bennetti because I was worried my other butterfly was sick and was concerned he would get the Bennetti sick...turns out he's fine though...btw, if you like Pakistani butterflies check out this video the same shop posted a couple days ago!...btw, around what do Pakistani butterflies cost in the States these days? Please tell me the liveaquaria.com price isn't on par...

I have no idea - In the UK I haven’t even seen a pakistan butterfly, or actually most butterflies. We seem to be more into the tangs, angels, anthias, wrasse ect…

 

[Big E]

I held off on getting the Bennetti because I was worried my other butterfly was sick and was concerned he would get the Bennetti sick...turns out he's fine though...btw, if you like Pakistani butterflies check out this video the same shop posted a couple days ago!...btw, around what do Pakistani butterflies cost in the States these days? Please tell me the liveaquaria.com price isn't on par...

Pakastanis are around $140-150 for the 3-4" size from most sites

Live Aquaria Divers Den can have smaller ones for 90 all the way to 170 depending on size These are all from Indonesia.

There also some sites that will QT and condition for this same price. They will sell them for 60 if you just want Indo ones not conditioned.

The ones that are more expensive come from Fiji or Sri Lanka

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Ok guys, I said I'd keep you updated and I will...another shop got a couple C. Bennetti butterflies in stock and I plan to get one this time

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

keep us updated. I would like to see baronessa and bennetti

I picked up the Bennetti Butterfly yesterday...if you'd like to follow along, I have another thread posted...lmk if you want to check it out but can't find it