Kleini butterfly reefsafety and care

[Alpha_and_Gec]

My LFS just got in some Kleini butterflies(restraining the urge to say “a**erflies), and I had found a few sources stating that they are a hardy fish, so I was thinking to pick one up for the aips that neither me nor my engineer could reach. However, I am not certain whether they’re reef safe. Reports state that the variant with an obvious blue stripe above the eyes are reef safe, but I can’t tell if that is the case. Here’s an image.

I also have a contingency plan in place for copperbands, and they do have one of those, but I don’t trust these fish long term. I did hear the Kleini is one of the hardiest butterflyfishes, so if I can get a confirmation on that that’ll be great.

 

[Stealthreefer]

I assume basically any butterfly is going to nip corals. I also assume they will never eat prepared foods and end in a guilt tripping session of "I told you so" in the mirror.
Make sure you see them eat prepared food in the store. Make sure you're okay with nipped coral.
I have a fish that will eat zoas randomly and get so ticked about it that I built a zoa tank just to stop getting mad about them when they start going missing and I see that sly grin on my fish's face.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

They will nip zoas and softies. They do work great on aiptasia.

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

I assume basically any butterfly is going to nip corals. I also assume they will never eat prepared foods and end in a guilt tripping session of "I told you so" in the mirror.
Make sure you see them eat prepared food in the store. Make sure you're okay with nipped coral.
I have a fish that will eat zoas randomly and get so ticked about it that I built a zoa tank just to stop getting mad about them when they start going missing and I see that sly grin on my fish's face.

I’m not planning to make the purchase today(unless I can see it eating PE mysis immediately), but the hope is just them being reef - safe and easier to take care of. I can get a copperband instead, which is roughly the same price, but I don’t want to risk it not working out. They ain’t got molly miller blennies and berghias are way overpriced.

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

They will nip zoas and softies. They do work great on aiptasia.

No go I guess. My zoa frag haven’t reproduced yet.

 

[Pickle_soup]

What size is your tank?

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

What size is your tank?

80 gals, Kleini aren’t very big fish as far as I’ve read.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

No go I guess. My zoa frag haven’t reproduced yet.

Its a dice roll but if you have certain so as your not willing to part with than I wouldn't. Also the klein will go after fleshy lps.

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

Its a dice roll but if you have certain so as your not willing to part with than I wouldn't. Also the klein will go after fleshy lps.

yeah, got a cheap hammer that's worth much more than how much I paid for. Maybe not.

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

Well, just got back, the kleinis didn't seem to be much interested in mysis. Only one of the copperbands actually ate as well, but he's been spoken for. Guess I'll go after a copperband that's still alive next week.