I'm would get some topwater plants for it to hide in. I think it will always be a bit skittish, but I cannot prove that as I don't have a whole lot of experience. When I got mine it was already "trained" on flakes.
African Butterfly Fish
- Thread starter sumthin fishy
- Start date
I have Aponogeton and Nymphae zenkeri Green plants growing covering about 50% of the top of the water. He has plenty of good hiding spots. The Nymphae zenkeri Green plants have grown completely to the top and look like Lilly Pads. I guess time will tell.sumthin fishy said:
thnx fishy.
Last edited:
ive had mine for about six months and hes still kinda skitish. he doesnt mind if i look at him from the side but if im above (like if the canopy is up) he kicks water at me and glides off in a hurry 
OOH.
I thought of another question while I was at lunch. It is getting kinda cool in my area, and moths are getting hard to find. Anyone know of any good places to buy some live food for him/her?
Live crickets maybe?
I thought of another question while I was at lunch. It is getting kinda cool in my area, and moths are getting hard to find. Anyone know of any good places to buy some live food for him/her?
Live crickets maybe?
Last edited:
Crickets work well, just make sure it eats them or the darn things will keep you up all night. You should be able to get them at any petstore. Also mealworms or even nightcrawlers will work.
They will always be more skittish than most fish. It's just kind of the way they are. They feel the surface of the water vibrate when you walk by and it gets them all riled up. As mentioned, a lot of surface plants, calm water...maybe a dark corner, will help 'em out.
Mine loved frozen baby krill (chopped in half or thirds).
Mine loved frozen baby krill (chopped in half or thirds).
I've had mine for a couple months now and he has become so tame that he'll nudge my hand or arm if I put it in the tank. However I do have a lot of surface plants and I suppose this makes him feel more secure in the tank.
When it comes to feeding I'll give mine any cricket that wanders into my apartment, but for the most part he eats frozen blood worms. I'll just drop the cube into the tank and he grabs it and drags it all over the place, evenly distributing the food that doesn't make it into his mouth. You just have to be careful when they're eating because they have a higher tendancy to jump out of the water and possibly onto the floor (he has hit my glass canopy fairly hard several times)
When it comes to feeding I'll give mine any cricket that wanders into my apartment, but for the most part he eats frozen blood worms. I'll just drop the cube into the tank and he grabs it and drags it all over the place, evenly distributing the food that doesn't make it into his mouth. You just have to be careful when they're eating because they have a higher tendancy to jump out of the water and possibly onto the floor (he has hit my glass canopy fairly hard several times)
ksimmo1 said:
Funny that you mention that. Over the years, I just got used to the "THUD" sound from him face-planting the inside of the canopy. I'm surprised the bugger didn't conk himself out! I think he was going after fruitflies maybe....or sometimes I didn't see anything at all.
They're definitely cool prehistoric fish.
Thanks everyone. I fed him a few moths last night. He loved em...I guess. I have about 50% plant coverage on the surface of the tank, the water temp about 72-74ºF, and the water is calm. I have 2 tiger barbs, for now I don't think they are bothering him (that I know of).
