Threadfin Butterfly

[kpatrick]

I just purchased a Threadfin Butterfly fish from my LFS. the guy at the store has always been honest with me and not tried to sell my stuff that would kill my other fish but tonight I went in and saw this butterfly fish and I decided to buy it after asking several questions about it. When I got home I pulled out my book and it didnt match what the guy at the fish store said so now im a little concerned. He told me that my feather dusters, snails, hermits, and shrimp would all be okay with the Threadfin but my book says that it likes to eat "desirable invertebrates". should I be worried ???? It seems like everytime you think you have done your homework you overlook one or two important facts about the fish!!! anyone have any info about these guys that may relax my fears or should he head back to the LFS tomorrow??

thanks

[a_free_bird73]

I have been doing a lot of reading my self about them because I have been looking at getting one. Most places say out right that butterflys are not suitable for housing with invertabrates. Occasionally you find a place or two that says "invetebrate compatible with caution".

The last time I followed the "Invertebrate compatible with Caution" I lost 1/2 of my invertebrates" so I would say I would not like your chances. Having said that, each fish has its own personality and I have been told of cases where well fed butterflys have been kept in tanks with corals without problems

Sorry can't be of much help but I think it will come down to taking your chance or returning it...

[kpatrick]

Well, i think he is going back to the fish store today!!!! IT destroyed 2 feather dusters and attemped to get a 3rd. I did more research last night and found that the Klein Butterfly is reef and invert safe so he may be the best option to go with.

[kreblak]

When the book told you that the threadfin might go after some invertabrates, did it mean copepods or brine shrimp? I don't think that a butterfly would have the capacity to go after snails, hermits, or large shrimp. Corals and feather dusters are another matter, though. If he has already torn up a feather duster, than I would remove him immediately.

[Dale W.]

Threadfins with featherdusters are bad news. Most all of the butterfly species will tear up featherdusters in no time. They also like to pick at sponges and small inverts in the tank. Some species will go after small snails and shrimp as well. As beautiful as butterfly fish are, they are really one of the fish that most people should stay clear of, especially in a reef tank.

Aiptasia:
If you do have a problem with aiptasia in your tank, a Racoon butterfly will clean them up rather quickly.

[Ray Pollett]

Reefscape,

"Aiptasia:
If you do have a problem with aiptasia in your tank, a Racoon butterfly will clean them up rather quickly."

Very true, but also the worst butterfly for a reef. It eats everything, and can destroy a reef overnight.

A copperband(if you can find a healhty one) is IMO a better choice for a reef to clean Aiptasia.

kpatrick,

A threadfin butterfly is a terrible choice for a reef. They eat a large varity of corals and other inverts as you found out.

A Klein Butterfly is not reef safe. It eats all but the most toxic soft corals. Even seen reports of it eating Leathers.

I have to second Reefscape about Butterflys not being a good choice for reef tanks in most cases.

Ray

[Dale W.]

Very true Ray about the racoon. It was more of a general statement about aiptasia. Thanks for mentioning about reef tanks and Racoons though.

[Ray Pollett]

Racoons happen to be one of my all time favorite fish. I do not have any at present, but what a beautiful fish.

Ray

[Dale W.]

We see plenty of Racoons and threadfins over here. I have seen them up around 7" long and they are beautiful and smart fish.