Butterflyfish Best Practices

[saltwaterfish.com]

I'd love some insight as to how we are managing butterflyfish. Mix and match? Trios?

What is the best diet, is it Mysis?

What are your thoughts on keeping them with certain invertebrates? If you have seen them do well with something please advise. I understand they are NOT REEF SAFE, but there are always exceptions. For example are hermits crabs safe? Are anemones safe?

Any other special details are welcome, and if you have a great set up with butterflies, please share some pictures!!

 

[TX_REEF]

I think it varies by butterfly fish. Lots of folks have great luck with copperbands as model citizens, once you can convince them to eat. I had a klein's butterfly to get rid of aiptasia, and it did a great job at that, but I also noticed my corals and bubbltip anemones never wanted to extend their polyps while the butterfly was around, so you never know.

 

[Uncle99]

My copperband is an excellent addition but, did peck at red trachies, but not green. May not harass clams right away, but mine did about a year down the road. Is suspected of nipping my red BTA.

All completely understandable given that snout.

Zero Aptasia. And whatever else he’s digging out of the rockwork.

Great fish, eats mostly mysis, maybe some brine.