african butterfly

[audrey]

I recently acquired two butterflies. I may have messed up in that I didn't realize that these fish are labeled as aggressive. I know in the past that some of the fish that I have researched have been labeled aggressive and turned out to be fine. Would love to hear from some of you as to your knowledge of this fish. I can take them back if I decide to. In the community tank they are going in - right now they are in qt -

1 red eye tetra
2 gold fin tetra
4 angels
2 peppered corys
1 panda cory
2 dwarf guorami
2 clown loach

OPINIONS PLEASE

 

[unfamous]

i use to have one of these unfortunatley it became fish food for my turtle but it will eat anythig that fits into its mout it loves to eat crickets..so feed it those but i don't thionk it will fair that well in ur tank..sorry

 

[audrey]

I was kinda afraid of that when I started doing my research. I guess these little guys will have to go back to the fish store. I don't need any trouble makers. Thanks for your reply I really appreciate it. I usually don't buy fish until I have done a little homework but didn't follow my rule this time.

 

[fiske]

I would wait a day or two and see what happens, they will probably be fine. African butterflies do eat anything that fits in their mouth and are labeled as aggressive because of this but never leave the surface and mostly eat insects floating on the surface. Most of your fish are either too big or too fast for them to eat. If your gourami is a dwarf honey it may become food, perhaps your goldfin tetras, and I suppose angels smaller than a nickel in body size. I had one with tetras before and got over confident and added guppies that quickly became food, beautiful orange tail hanging out of its mouth before a last gulp.

 

[audrey]

They just may get to hang out in the quarantine tank for awhile until I decide what to do with them. I will see how they act over the next couple of days. I do not want to take a chance with my angels. Thanks for the reply.

 

[ghinksmon]

I would agree with fiske, provided your tetras are nearly full grown. My ABF doesn't bother the dwarf gourami, my smallest fish. It does enjoy the occasional guppy (home grown) but they stay at the same level, making them an easy target.

Provide floating plants for cover and keep your water clean. IME they don't do well on just prepared foods. Frozen bloodworms, krill etc are good for variety, as well as small crickets.