African Butterfly Fish and Halfbeaks

[Red Beard]

Pretty sure I already know the answer to this one folks, but even Google hasn't been any help to me.

Has anyone stocked a tank with Halfbeaks & a Butterfly Fish? I am aware that the Butterfly Fish inhabits strictly the surface of the water and is predatory towards small fish that share this space. Halfbeaks should max out at about 7cm (2.75") & Butterfly Fish Between 12-22cm (4.72-8.66"). Too big for a meal, or just right in your opinions?

Putting together a list and ironing out the kinks.

Any suggestions or passing on experience would be really helpful to me

edit: the halfbeaks available to me can live comfortably in the same PH I can provide for the BFF.

 

[fishhead0103666]

I don’t know where you’re getting your information but african butterfly fish most certainly do not get 8 inches. You can expect 4 inches.

I can’t help you with your question directly but I can tell you that african butterfly fish do best either by themselves or in groups of 6 or more.

 

[kno4te]

I believe the African butterfly fish would likely eat a half beak. They are really slow growers compared to the halfbeaks. Their mouths can open wide enough to swallow the halfbeak. Atleast attending it. I’d suggest not mixing the two.

 

[tlindsey]

I believe the African butterfly fish would likely eat a half beak. They are really slow growers compared to the halfbeaks. Their mouths can open wide enough to swallow the halfbeak. Atleast attending it. I’d suggest not mixing the two.

+1

 

[Red Beard]

I don’t know where you’re getting your information but african butterfly fish most certainly do not get 8 inches. You can expect 4 inches.

I can’t help you with your question directly but I can tell you that african butterfly fish do best either by themselves or in groups of 6 or more.

Yeah I thought that seemed on the large side in comparison to any I've ever seen; tbh I got that measurement from an online retailer and as I've never kept one before I just went with it.


Everyone else, thanks for confirming my suspicions, I already 'knew' but was throwing out a hail Mary just incase.


I'm pretty sold on the halfbeaks so I'm off on a quest to nail down another odd ball for that end of the aquarium.

Cheers!