Are "Reef-Safe" Butterflies BS?

[Punchanello]

In my short time in the hobby I have had 2 supposedly "reef-safe" butterflies. For examples of information out there, the two I had also happen to have glowing recommendations in this article for example - https://reefs.com/magazine/reef-safe-butterflyfishes/.

I get it, every fish is a risk. I just happen to have been unlucky and bought a Copperband and Longnose butterfly that zeroed in on my SPS like scud missiles without hesitation.

I guess my questions is, can any Butterfly truly be called 'reef-safe'? How much of our information on 'reef-safeness' is driven by experienced hobbyists and not an industry that needs to sell fish?

 

[nereefpat]

The two pyramids and one species of Heniochus are the only safe butterflies I'm aware of.

Some folks keep cbbs in reefs, but there would be some risk, as you've seen.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I think the 2 butterflies you have had are listed as more often than not as with caution. Similar to dwarf angels each fish is its own. Some take a liking to corals, some don’t. There are even cases of some chetadon(probably misspelled lol) species not eating any corals.

 

[Baldguy]

Pyramids have been reef safe for me with the exception of Xenia. They completely wiped out the Xenia I had, which was a good thing. :)

 

[Hemmdog]

Pyramids have been reef safe for me with the exception of Xenia. They completely wiped out the Xenia I had, which was a good thing. :)

Looks like I’m getting a pyramid tomorrow...

 

[mattzang]

i need a "reef safe" butterfly that absolutely demolishes zoas.... i don't currently have any xenia infestations :mad:

 

[ReefTeacher]

I kept butterflies in my reef for a while and really like the display. I limited the corals I kept ones that were not too tasty: Anthelia, Organ Pipe, GSP, Gorgonians, and some limited SPS. I never tried any LPS in that tank. I had a leather coral that did get eaten, but the criminal was a Regal Angel, not a butterfly. Let me see if I can find a picture or two from those days:

 

[Seamore2001]

I kept a copperband many years ago that was a model citizen. It didn't touch acros, montis, zoos, or any other coral. I didn't have LPS or softies excepting Xenia, so can't comment on those.

IIRC, it did have a taste for the little feather dusters on my LR though. I'd definitely consider a copperband again, especially if I had an aptasia outbreak that I couldn't control.

 

[User1]

There was another article I read that was pretty decent with regards to butterflies but for the life of me I can't find the link :( Many are listed as not reef safe, others are tagged with caution. Pygmy angels for example the Coral Beauty while you didn't ask about is listed as with caution. Mine is a model citizen in my 210. I've also had a copperband which is listed as with caution and it was great. Flame angel again with caution and it was a holy terror. Hit or miss.

What I found is build the system to house the corals first and work backwards from there. Corals will pretty much dictate what you can and cannot have. I had a Matted Filefish that I loved. It cleared all my pests away and was eating food that I fed the other fish. It was really great. Picked on my LPS (Hammers) but they are established and outgrew / paced his nips and tucks. I introduced a Xenia frag and it went straight for it. Returned him after that because I needed the Xenia to establish and it wasn't able to out compete/grow vs the fish.

I've heard pyramids are good. I'm personally looking to buy two or three Lemon Butterfly fish because most I've read say they are somewhat on the higher odds of reef safe w/caution. However, they are from Hawaii and not on the market much anymore - at least that I've seen.

With caution is just that sadly. Some have great luck others regrets.

 

[Jesterrace]

As has been mentioned Longnose Yellow and Copperbands are generally safer that most butterflies and many have good luck with them, but as mentioned they are still "With Caution" and should be treated much like a Pygmy or Dwarf Angel.

The only one that is really considered reef safe is the Pyramid Butterflyfish (and even then it might target a couple of kinds of corals, although IMHO having a Xenia nibbler isn't the worst thing).

 

[Musovski]

I keep a threadfin Butterfly in my tank, and soon hope to add these:
Pearlscale
Pakistan
Blue Blotch
Reticulated

I feel that it depends on the fish, My butterfly has never gone after a coral. Ive got Softies, LPS and now adding SPS.

 

[mtfish]

I have two pyramids and one copper band and none of these have been an issue in my tank. No experience with other species of butterflies.