Butterfly fish

[Miss Dib Dabs]

I saw some in a lfs, well actually a garden center with a fish section. They're still rather small and cheap. I'd like some to complete my 55g once the platties are out and wondered if anyone could add to the info supplied in the species section on this site. They'd be living with 4 synos and 2 angels so no little ones or aggressive types. The tank has good filtration and two good fitting lids (a glass one that slides back and a heavy wooden lid further above with the lights attached).
My real concern is the ph in this area not being suitable, but the ph at the GC is almost identical. It is stable and the water quality in my tank holds steadily at very good to excellent.
Can anyone see any problems with this? And how many would work ok?
Hugs,
P.

 

[Dangerousdan]

Ive got one and had no problems with it at all, and the poor sods been through the wars and into his 3rd tank.
First he was ok in the 6ft but keeped getting all the surface food leaving none for the gar, so put him in 3ft with african Malawi cichlids. He was doing good in here till one day looked and he had had ten turns of the preverbeal kicked out of him and was a right mess, eyes glazed all fins gone etc. Moved him into another 3ft tank with sengalese birchir and tyretrack eel and hes been in there areound 2 months with no problems. Eyes are all clear and fins growing back.
Hope this helps.
My pH is 7.2

Dan

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Awww bless the poor thing.
I can't imagine either the synos, who've happily lived with the little platties and the even smaller s.gouramie causing problems. The angels are placid except towards other angels although I wouldn't risk leaving the gouramie in there once they're adults. One can never tell.
I already use live food a couple of times a week and very varied foods for all. The angels love catfish pellets.
In short, I think they'd be happy in the 55g. The plants are reaching the surface now so some cover is there and more on the way. Just need to wait until the other tank finishes cycling for the platties and gouramie and I can bring some home! I'm thinking 3 would probably fit well in there or can I risk more?
Hugs,
P.

 

[Paul_MTS]

I reakon they would be fine aswell.

I have 2 in my 4ft 100g with SA cichlids, including 1 angel, no one botheres them at all, give them some tall/floating plants to hide in and they'll so just fine.

 

[Fruitbat]

Three Pantodon buchholzi (African Butterfly Fish) MAY be alright in a 55 gallon tank. Males have a tendency to be a bit territorial on occasion and may fight with each other even in a 55. Be sure that you leave some open swimming room amidst your plants at the surface. The Butterfly Fish will hang around in or near the plants but will come out to the open water area to feed.

The only potential problems you might see with Angel Fish is that they might nip at the filamentous ventral fins of the Butterfly Fish. The Synodontis cats won't present any problems at all.

Here's a link to an article I wrote on keeping African Butterfly Fish. You might find some of the information useful.

African Butterfly Fish article

-Joe