African Butterfly Fish

[dbcb314]

any fish that can fit in its mouth will be eaten during the night.

They don't really move much unless they are eating. Mine either sits in the corner on the surface or he sits in the floating plant thing.

Mine eats tetra crisps, blood worms, black worms, and feeders. It will ONLY eat off the top... if the food sinks a centimeter it won't go get it.

 

[dbcb314]

they look cool, but are probably one of the most boring fish I have ever owned. Super scared of everything, inactive, prone to jump, and you hardly ever see it on the surface. Once a little bigger, it might try to eat your tetras

Then you have a problem with your tanks and it isn't compatible with the fish you have with it. These are surface dwelling fish... if you see it near the bottom it probably means it was stressed. Only time mine ever leaves the top of the tank is when I am doing a water change or have my hands in the tank.

 

[Cichlidgirl91]

I just got a butterfly fish about a week ago and, even though they aren't very active, they are still quite a conversation-starter. I have mine in with bichirs, ctenopoma, apple snails, and mollies and everybody seems to get along fine. The butterfly LOVES crickets (you won't believe how fast he'll move to get it!) and will also eat bloodworms, ants (we have big ones around here), and freshly-shed mealworm beetles.
They aren't as "WOW" as other fish, but if you like ugly fish (like me) you should give these fish a try. Just keep an eye on your other fish!

 

[matt123]

i have an ABF in my 200 comunity for around a year now and never had a problem with him !
it just genraly cruises at the surface all day ! i keep angels with it and tetra's and never had a problen as the tetra seem to like playing in the bogwood at the bottom and the butterfly never leaves the surface !
also the angels were a bit curious of it to begining but left it alone after an hour or so !
i would say to give it a go but dont take your eyes of the tank unless all is good !
and watch out as they are mainly active at night
good luck

 

[WestTex]

Had a Butterfly for two years. If the surface of your tank is fairly still they can detect surface movement very well. I would catch flys and other small insects and throw them in for the fish. The butterfly was always first to get to it.

I kept mine with angels, a senegal bichir, a pleco, and some other fish that slip my mind. They don't do too much like the others have already commented, but like most other fish, they come alive when food hits the water.

A tight lid for your tank is a needed. They jump very well and do so often at night.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

I feel that there might be other fish nipping at the butterfly fish, esp the angel, but that probably depends on the personality of the angel as well

 

[browny_x]

yeah id have to agree, they look sick but they just chill in the corner and that's there day filled.

 

[wolfsburgfanatic]

I have two in my 40G african oddball tank, and while they're not the most active they are still one of my favorites. They will only feed from the surface, so the only time I'd worry about the tetras is when they come up to feed. I think they're pretty cool fish, and fun to watch at dinner time, especially when crickets are on the menu