The Butterfly Fish

[ScottT1980]

I have been debating which butterfly to add to my 180. The aiptasia problem is immense and to be honest, I am willing to risk losing a few LPS/SPS to rid the system. At this point, manual irradication just is not an option.

I already tried a copperband, but after 4 days of eating and looking great in my Q/T tank, it developed mutltiple ulcers and succombed before I could treat.

So, I am looking for other's opnions on these fish. I realize many don't do well in captivity and I personally don't want to contribute to more situations like the one that we had with the copperband...

I suppose I would prefer one that is relatively hardy, can knock out aiptasia, has a better record of eating prepared foods, and it would be nice if it doesn't nip at corals (although I suppose this is hit and miss). What do you think? Longnose (Forcipiger flavissimus)? Copperband (Chelmon rostratus)? Raccon (Chaetodon lunula)? Any others?

Thanks
Scott T.

 

[Aquatic Guru]

Maybe add 20 peppermint shrimp.

 

[ScottT1980]

Ha, the peppermint route hasn't worked. I also considered the nudis, but decided they were more trouble than their worth.

 

[mojoreef]

I have a copperband in my tank (big boy). I got it from a guy who's tank had exploded. When I got it it had only a tail fin as the others got torn off in the accident, it had a few big gouges to. Anyway Its been in thier for about 4 years now and eats almost anything. I only had a couple of aiptasia but it killed those pretty quick.


Mike

 

[Maxx]

You might look for a Muelleri butterfly.

Chelmon muelleri

Mulleri Butterflyfish

64Ivy has one and its been doing great in his tank. He stated it was shy to start feeding at first, but he's had it almost 3 years now. IIRC he got it from the Marine Center.

Nick

 

[CarlaW]

I have an Auriga in my 80, and it sure made my aiptasia problem look real silly.

[/IMG]

 

[bc_slc]

great looking fish guys. Makes me think I need a butterfly.....

Mat

 

[mfinn]

I put a raccon bf and a kleins bf in a 135 that had a bad aptasia and majano problem. Between the two they completely cleaned out every pest anemone.
They also ate all the skirts off the palythoa polyps(or protopalys) that were growing in the tank, but not the oral disk or body of the polyps.

 

[jsmkmavity]

the best one i have seen/used is a false falcula (double saddle), and yes it will eat your other prize possessions too!

 

[ScottT1980]

I got it from a guy who's tank had exploded.

Ha, it took me a second to realize that you literally meant "exploded." Sounds like a good story.

Thanks for the help guys/gals. It looks like any will work, but all come with relatively the same risks. Tough call...

Take er easy
Scott T.