African Butterflyfish!

[SilverDollar_03]

I need some info. on these guys. Im thinking of getting 2 of 'em for my 55 gal. One big question. How low does the water have to be from the cover. The sites said a recommended 2-3" from it, but would 1" be ok. I dont want the water to be too low or the tank will look bad...

 

[pacuman]

The pet store has it 2 inchs and dont keep little fish with them Dont keep a real bright light that puts off alot of heat couse they sit by the surface alot.


hope i was help
jordan

 

[Max Action]

An inch or two should be fine - the reason for the rule I think is the heat from the lights as someone said.

I'd also strongly recommend floating plants, or plants that come down from the back, across the surface of the water.

 

[CFC]

When keeping surface dwelling fish like arowana's, african butterflies, gars etc i always keep the water level two or three inches below the high water mark. I do this for two reasons, one so that i can see the fish without having to sit on the floor to look upwards and two so that the fish dont harm themselves against the cover when they aggressively feed on floating foods. If you are worried about the tank not looking as good with a lower water level try adding one or two tall pieces of bog/drift wood which stick out above the surface and add a few floating plants to make the waters surface more interesting.

 

[ryan]

Info; http/fish.orbust.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=34968 . The rest of the information about water level CFC has provided perfectly, thats exactly why I keep my water level 1-2" from the top for my group of African Butterfly Fish and use floating plants. Good luck.

I always thought the tank would look bad, but IMO it doesn't. I keep my water level 1" from the top sometimes less and on one side I have plants reaching the surface and covering it, they spend most of their time drifting underneath this. The main reason I keep the water level this low is because of their feeding, when they feed so aggressivly they will jump at anything and this stops them from damagin themselves on the cover.