Welcome to MFK!!
African Butterflyfish - Pantodon buchholzi
Introduced in 1905, this unique and fascinating fish is the only member of its species or family. It's pretty obvious why they call this the "Butterfly fish", as seen from above the pectoral fins are usually patterned and look just like butterfly wings!
What's in the name?
Pantodon means "all tooth"
buchholzi named for R. W. Buchholz
The Butterflyfish, African Butterflyfish, or Freshwater Butterflyfish has a flat head and back that is a light brown or greenish color with a silver sheen and has dark markings on the fins and underside. Its large pectoral fins are widespread and it uses them to glide over short distances. The wide lizardlike mouth is upturned at the top of the body, and true to form it eats all manner of surface insects.
Though the Butterflyfish, African Butterflyfish, or Freshwater Butterflyfish is generally a good community fish, they can be a bit intolerant of other surface swimming fish and have been known to nip fins. They are a predator and will eat small fish. But on a positive note, they also become quite tame and will eat food from your fingers.
These fish like a loosely planted shallow aquarium best, about 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) deep. One that has more length and width to it rather than depth gives them a large surface area. They do like some floating plant cover to lurk under as well. Be sure you have a good cover on the aquarium as this fish is an excellent jumper.
Care and feeding:
Since they are carnivores, the Butterflyfish, African Butterflyfish, or Freshwater Butterflyfish will eat all types of protein foods. They especially like live insects. Feed flies, mosquito larvae, small spiders, worms, small fish and large flake food. We have had good success feeding them small crickets!
Distribution:
The Butterflyfish, African Butterflyfish, or Freshwater Butterflyfish are found in West Africa, Nigeria, Cameroons, Zaire.
Size - Weight:
These fish generally get up to 4 inches (10 cm) in the aquarium. Most of the Butterflyfish that we have seen are full grown or close to it.
Social Behaviors:
They are generally a good community fish although they may eat small fish.
Sexual Differences:
The male is slimmer than the female, though that is hard to distinquish unless the female is fat due to carrying eggs. The rear edge of the anal fin of the male describes a convex curve and the fin rays form a tube (which is the genital organ). The rear edge of the female anal fin is straight.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
These fish will swim in the top of the aquarium. It is best to keep it with other fish that swim in the middle or bottom of the aquarium.
Acceptable Water Conditions:
Hardness: 8-12° dGH
Ph: 6.5 to 7.0
Temp: 77-82° F (25-28° C)
Breeding/Reproduction:
Water conditions: The values given above were taken from the recommended breeding conditions.
These fish are rather difficult to breed and peat filtration is recommended. Feed a pair with a large variety of live foods to induce spawning. Once spawning begins, 3 to 7 eggs will be produced at each pass. The eggs will float to the surface where you can use a spoon to transfer them to another aquarium. The pairing will continue for some time with a total of 80 to 200 eggs dropped per day. The eggs will hatch in about 36 hours. The fry are difficult to raise as they will only eat foods that float directly in front of their mouths. Some success has been observed in feeding fry fruitflies and FD cyclop-eeze.
