Reef safe butterflies/angelfish. Do they really exist?

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I know there can be a lot of stipulation on whether or not truly reef safe butterflies or angelfish exist in this hobby. While I believe there is no true reef safe variety I do know there are a handful of species that show very little interest in bothering corals or small inverts. What species do you consider reef safe?

 

[KrisReef]

Speculation, Klein Butterfly, Copperband butterfly, seem to be fine in many reefs.

 

[Jasonak]

Longnose, pyramid

I have a Emperor and Blueface angels in my reef and have had both before in my reef these are newer ones.

 

[BryanM]

I have a dwarf red angel that works for me... if he wasn't already in a mixed reef when I bought him I probably would not have done it.

 

[Biokabe]

Yellow pyramid butterfly was reasonably reef safe. When I had one, he left most corals alone, but would pick on acans. He seemed to enjoy nori more than acans, though, so once I started feeding nori every day he left all the corals alone. He also ate aiptasia.

I miss him.

 

[Terry Le]

At far at angels goes ATM I have a 6-7” Lamark and triples of Cherub angels that been in my tank for years. I have pretty good luck with Pyramid and Zooster butterflies same go with Copperband

 

[steveschuerger]

I had a Copperband. No issues.

 

[saltwaterfish.com Verified Sponsor]

Yellow pyramid butterfly was reasonably reef safe. When I had one, he left most corals alone, but would pick on acans. He seemed to enjoy nori more than acans, though, so once I started feeding nori every day he left all the corals alone. He also ate aiptasia.

I miss him.

I have one in my reef tank currently and he's a model citizen, they really are great fish.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I had a Copperband. No issues.

I've seen some (like you) who never have issues with them, and others woh have constant issues with them

 

[X-37B]

My swallowtail angel in my 150.
I have had issues with pygmy's but so far no issues with the Swallowtail in 1.5 years.

 

[TylerHaworth]

I've got a captive bred Coral Beauty that has been a model citizen. I am strictly SPS though, no meaty corals or clams to pick at.

 

[OctaviusBrine]

Both of my swallowtails have been great

 

[christinna77]

Longnose butterfly - he tasted almost everything in my tank during the first week, even though I feed the tank four times a day. His favorite was my red acan, so much that I had to put it in a cage because he was so persistent. I've also seen him nip at my sun coral and duncan, but only a few times. He doesn't care about euphyllia, mushrooms or gonis.

 

[Paul B]

I have been keeping these butterflies since the 70s, no issues yet.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

I have a coral beauty and a flame that are both model citizens. Very skiddish, but I haven't had any problems with them. I got them when they were very small and have kept them on 6-7 meals/day which I think curbs most of the coral pecking when they are constantly full.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I'd argue yes. But the term 'reef safe" is very vague and debatably doesnt mean anything.