Reef safe butterfly fish?

[Saaqib_Ansari]

Hi I’m interested in getting a butterfly fish but I’m not sure which type.
I have a 300L tank with: 2 clownfish, bangai cardinal, chromis, blenny, coral beauty, cleaner shrimp
I do have coral in the tank so just wanted some advice on what butterfly fish I can keep in the tank that are reef safe.

 

[JMM744]

There is a Bannerfish that is reef safe as well as Pyramids for sure.

 

[AcroNem]

Pyramid, other than that you run a risk, and they'll all be different in how they behave

 

[Saaqib_Ansari]

Pyramid, other than that you run a risk, and they'll all be different in how they behave

How about a copperband?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Pyramid , copperband and Kleini

 

[AcroNem]

I've had both Kleins and copperband be just fine but also others be monsters eating coral.

 

[DeniseAndy]

My copperband went after LPS after 1.5 years. Had to rehome it. Bummer. I would not trust any as I have clams.

 

[Saaqib_Ansari]

My copperband went after LPS after 1.5 years. Had to rehome it. Bummer. I would not trust any as I have clams.

How was the copperband I’m seeing a lot of mixed reviews saying it’s a diffuclt fish to keep and feed

 

[DeniseAndy]

My first was good and easy. Champ through qt (fed on lots of aiptasia I would harvest). Loved everything. That became an issue though. Since him, I have not succeeded keeping one. Granted, I only tried one more due to clams. It did not make it long, few days. They are hard to find healthy and keep healthy. Once you do, they are easier.

 

[Brad Syphus]

I believe you cant call any B/F fish completely reef safe. But you can move the odds in your favor by feeding often to keep them from feeding on your coral.

 

[Kremis]

Pyramids generally OK, I had to get rid of mine for eating zoas though

 

[michael_cb_125]

I have had good results with any of the fish in the Prognathodes genus. Generally will eat ornamental worms, but I have never had one touch any of my corals.

 

[Saaqib_Ansari]

Pyramids generally OK, I had to get rid of mine for eating zoas though

My corals beauty is already eating my zoas ((

 

[pcon]

I have had good luck with the roaops and prognathodes. I just got a true roa thats in QT now.You do have to plan the coral stocking with the butterflies in mind.



some good articles on the topic:

Reef Safe Butterflyfishes?

I confess that I cringe a little bit any time I hear someone say "this fish will not eat corals" or "this fish is reef safe" because, like all wild animals, fis

reefs.com

Keeping butterflyfish in reefs: What to look out for and what to avoid | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Butterflyfish are the quintessential reef inhabitant. Take a look at any coral reef picture, video, documentary, poster, you name it. There’s a high chance a colourful butterfly is flitting around…

reefbuilders.com

Reef Nuggets 2: Aquatic Lepidopterans for your reef (Revised edition) | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

In our previous episode of Reef Nuggets, we explored our options for peaceful and lesser known damselfish to add a little spark of colour and life to our aquariums. Having vanquished the hateful…

reefbuilders.com