Golden Butterflyfish Care

[mjreefs]

Hi all,

I have an 8'x2'x2' tank and am looking to add a pair of golden butterflyfish (C. semilarvatus). How easy are they in terms of getting to eat prepared food and quarantine? I heard Zebrasoma tangs are problematic with butterflies, but with how big the tank is, is it possible to house a pair of golden butterflies with a Yellow Tang and Purple Tang? The Yellow Tang and Purple Tang are roughly in the 4" range.

 

[Big G]

@4FordFamily
Any help for mj?

 

[4FordFamily]

Hi all,

I have an 8'x2'x2' tank and am looking to add a pair of golden butterflyfish (C. semilarvatus). How easy are they in terms of getting to eat prepared food and quarantine? I heard Zebrasoma tangs are problematic with butterflies, but with how big the tank is, is it possible to house a pair of golden butterflies with a Yellow Tang and Purple Tang? The Yellow Tang and Purple Tang are roughly in the 4" range.

I have not kept them, though butterflies clash with tangs more due to shape and when there are "few" similarly shaped fish in the same tank. With multiple butterflies and tangs in an aptly-sized tank, I doubt you have issues. It is always a risk, however.

 

[Pbh-reef]

@puffy127 has a pair I believe

 

[tehmadreefer]

No different than most any other butterflies. Try frozen mysis/brine, clams in the half shell if they are picky. If still not eating move on to mastick. They love coral so if you have any expect them to disappear.

 

[salty150]

They are a very shy, timid fish.

They are also a very beautiful, graceful, fish.

 

[puffy127]

I do have a pair in a 125 g FOWLR. Definitely are NOT reef safe. I did not find them to be shy nor difficult to get to eat. Made it through QT just fine. I do not have any zebrosoma tangs but do have other butterflies and angels and they get along fine.

 

[deahttub]

IME semi larvitus are very hearty...love them! They look great in groups!

 

[pcon]

Doesn't @Tanne have some in his reef tank? he could probably give more insights into what corals they do and don't eat if you were considering them for a reef. they are on my future short list for a reef for sure.

 

[mjreefs]

Hi all. Thanks for the responses! I don't think I'll have any problem having to feed them and reef-safeness is not a problem since it's going to a FOWLR. I've read that they don't fare well as groups but as pairs. Any thoughts on this?

 

[salty150]

I've read that they don't fare well as groups but as pairs. Any thoughts on this?

Yes, they are almost always seen in alone pairs in the wild.

 

[ca1ore]

I've been tempted a few times, but the questionable reef safeness has always dissuaded me.

 

[Big E]

Yes, they are almost always seen in alone pairs in the wild.

Actually this is the opposite.......they are usually in groups in the wild. Maybe when they spawn they break away as pairs only.

I've had as many as 5 together in a 180g tank. The key with groups is you have to buy them together and let them naturally pair off on their own.

I had a purple tang with them and they all got along fine.

They eat anything and are probably one of the hardiest butterflyfish you can own.