Tankmates for an African Butterfly Fish - Aquarium Advice

gregor7777 · 12-12-2004, 04:06 PM

Hi,

I'm still putting ideas together for my 37g freshwater tank. Not sure where I'm going yet but I've stumbled upon an African Butterfly Fish that seems interesting.

What tankmates would you suggest if I picked one of these up? I've read he likes to eat fish that can fit in his mouth, would this include some of the larger Tetras (not neon's)? Would he nip at larger fish like an Angel? He likes to live at the top right, so probably would leave Molly's and such alone for the most part?

thanks

Toirtis · 12-12-2004, 06:03 PM

Try some of the Ctenopoma or gouramis....only tetras like congos would be safe with him (he will get to 4", and has a bigger mouth than you might imagine).

gregor7777 · 12-12-2004, 09:07 PM

Hi, thanks for the reply.

How do you think they will do with some angels? Are they nippers?

I'm thinking if they don't nip then they will do alright as angels get as big or bigger than the butterfly.

Toirtis · 12-12-2004, 09:13 PM

I would worry more about the angels nipping at the butterfly fish's lower fin ray filaments.

gregor7777 · 12-12-2004, 09:18 PM

Hmm, probably not the best bet then. I think my tank will be an angel tank, unless I happen upon another shopiece fish I like.

Toirtis · 12-12-2004, 10:20 PM

How tall is this 37 of yours? Angels do best in a tall, long tank.

gregor7777 · 12-12-2004, 10:36 PM

30 long and 22 high

FishLover14 · 12-13-2004, 09:28 PM

Try keeping a Bushy Nose Pleco and some loaches as a clean up crew, angels like a big tasll tank, and can nip fins, I might not go with an angel but that is [acronym:7daf8cfdfb="Just My Opinion"]JMO[/acronym:7daf8cfdfb]

Dan

12-12-2004, 04:06 PM	#1
gregor7777 Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 4	Tankmates for an African Butterfly Fish Hi, I'm still putting ideas together for my 37g freshwater tank. Not sure where I'm going yet but I've stumbled upon an African Butterfly Fish that seems interesting. What tankmates would you suggest if I picked one of these up? I've read he likes to eat fish that can fit in his mouth, would this include some of the larger Tetras (not neon's)? Would he nip at larger fish like an Angel? He likes to live at the top right, so probably would leave Molly's and such alone for the most part? thanks

12-12-2004, 06:03 PM	#2
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	Try some of the Ctenopoma or gouramis....only tetras like congos would be safe with him (he will get to 4", and has a bigger mouth than you might imagine). __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

12-12-2004, 09:13 PM	#4
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	I would worry more about the angels nipping at the butterfly fish's lower fin ray filaments. __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

12-12-2004, 10:20 PM	#6
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	How tall is this 37 of yours? Angels do best in a tall, long tank. __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

12-13-2004, 09:28 PM	#8
FishLover14 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mississippi Posts: 879	Try keeping a Bushy Nose Pleco and some loaches as a clean up crew, angels like a big tasll tank, and can nip fins, I might not go with an angel but that is [acronym:7daf8cfdfb="Just My Opinion"]JMO[/acronym:7daf8cfdfb] Dan __________________ Dan

12-12-2004, 09:07 PM	#3
gregor7777 Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 4	Hi, thanks for the reply. How do you think they will do with some angels? Are they nippers? I'm thinking if they don't nip then they will do alright as angels get as big or bigger than the butterfly.

12-12-2004, 09:18 PM	#5
gregor7777 Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 4	Hmm, probably not the best bet then. I think my tank will be an angel tank, unless I happen upon another shopiece fish I like.

12-12-2004, 10:36 PM	#7
gregor7777 Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 4	30 long and 22 high

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