African Butterfly Fish

Does anyone have experience of these surface-dwelling fish? I'm quite intrigued by them but, as they're predators, I'm a bit concerned for my Otos since I just got them...

Fish Photo

I doubt they'd go for ottos as they don't look down much, they probably wouldn't notice them.

Would they get on with your other surface dwelling fish or would they be in a different tank?

Youre getting a collection of oddballs Mary :lol:

No, different tank to the Hatchetfish. If I was to get one, it'd be in the 165L tank with the Cichlids (Angelfish, Ram) and the Pearl Gouramis among others. There's one in a local shop atm for €11 which seems reasonable for such an oddball.

Did you get any of these Mary?

Not yet, tardis. I'm still doing a bit of research into them. I don't want to upset my happy 165L fish community if I don't need to.

Cant see the photo Mary, but perhaos this could be a candidate for the Fish of the Month info - it would be good to find out about some of the more unusual fish, and this certainly seems to fit that description!

By the way have you removed the photo Mary, its not loading for me?

Try this FF

old thread revitalised - from my understanding, butterfly fish are ambush predators, mainly of invertebrates and crustacean - so with that in mind - in terms of what fish they 'MAY' have a pop at - id say anything smaller than a cherry barb may well be snaffled (or livenbearer fry etc)

IE i would say that if its safe with an upside down catfish - thn it will be safe with a butterfly fish. I do know they a are similar to siamese fighters in that they dont like fast flows/too much surface disturbance and as they are surface dwellers - they also dont appreciate bright lighting and like a good amount of floating plant cover (I was recommended to get fake plants that float for this purpose as they dont shed and block filters etc and dont suffer burnas from lighting)

I would feed em dried blood worm and also dried tubifex at every feed - crumble up the tubiflex cubes - you could also feed occasionally, small crickets and the like just to replicate the natural diets. I have heard they can be a little reluctant to take flake and pellets etc but i cant say for sure on that.

I must admit- evertime i see these in the shop I am curious about them - maybe one day i'll get some (which reminds me - they like to be in groups of 6 or thereabouts)

hope this helps

I was quite interested in getting an ABF once until I read about them possibly eating any small fish that ventured near it so I decided against it, for the sake of my Otos. Pity really 'coz they're a really interesting looking fish.

I think your ottos would be safe tbh - ABF aint half as fast as Birchirs and my ottos seemed to avoid their advances for the most part and since ottos are suckers (ie mid to lower and generally on the glass) I dont think the ABS would get the oppourtunity tbh.

Another idea beyond the floating plants I suggested - get some decent pieces of flat bogwood and put those against the glass (where your ottos hang out the most) leaving enough room for them to get in easily but no more - an ABS will not be able to pursue them then

Just a thought - I will track down some good links/imfo on ABS and Post it here (or in fish description corner)

Cheers - Rich

Thanks Rich but I've already nixed the idea and gone for Rainbowfish instead!