Wrought Iron Butterflys?

[myerst22]

Hello all. Does anyone have experience with Wrought Iron Butterfly's? A few questions? Will the Wrought get along with my Tinker's Butterfly? The Wrought I am looking at will be about a 1" bigger. Also do you think my big black tang is going to try and kill it because they are both mostly black? Any other info about them would be greatly appreciated. I know they need lower temps and I already keep my tank at 76F. Thanks, Tim Here is a Picture of a Wrought Iron Butterfly. Thanks, Tim

 

[leebca]

I find no indication of what display tank size you have, nor its dimensions.

Assuming your 'big black tang' is at least 4" then the tank should be no less than 6 feet long. The smallest of that would be about a 125 gallon aquarium. If the Tang isn't in this sized aquarium or longer, then that fish needs to be moved and thus, it wouldn't clash with this Butterfly. If the aquarium is 180g or larger, the two probably won't have any issues once the new fish settles in. If the tank is shorter/smaller, then the Tang may take issue with this new addition, since it is space-stressed at this point in time.

Having the Butterfly go through a quarantine process to not only be sure it is healthy, but eating correctly and built up with energy stored, should go a long way to smooth the entrance.

The Tinker's is a fairly level headed fish -- hardy and not very aggressive. It should get along with the new Butterfly unless either or both the new Butterfly or the Tinker's have a personality clash.

 

[myerst22]

Thanks for the response. If I do decide to get the Wrought it will be in a 180. One of my concerns is temperature. I keep my tank on the cooler side, 76F on average. Some have said that they need even cooler temperatures. What are your thoughts on this issue. thanks again for the response. Also I plan on partitioning the tank with eggcrate when if I introduce the fish and keep it that way for a couple of weeks so the older fish can get a look at him. Regards, Tim

I find no indication of what display tank size you have, nor its dimensions.

Assuming your 'big black tang' is at least 4" then the tank should be no less than 6 feet long. The smallest of that would be about a 125 gallon aquarium. If the Tang isn't in this sized aquarium or longer, then that fish needs to be moved and thus, it wouldn't clash with this Butterfly. If the aquarium is 180g or larger, the two probably won't have any issues once the new fish settles in. If the tank is shorter/smaller, then the Tang may take issue with this new addition, since it is space-stressed at this point in time.

Having the Butterfly go through a quarantine process to not only be sure it is healthy, but eating correctly and built up with energy stored, should go a long way to smooth the entrance.

The Tinker's is a fairly level headed fish -- hardy and not very aggressive. It should get along with the new Butterfly unless either or both the new Butterfly or the Tinker's have a personality clash.

 

[leebca]

I see now what is one of your concerns about this fish. This fish is not tropical. It is a sub-tropical fish. Temperatures over 75F stress this fish out. A preferred temperature range is 67 to 72F.

I've only kept these fish with sub-tropical marine specimens in the past and always used a chiller. I find they are best left in their natural habitat unless in captivity they are in a sub-tropical marine system. Fish such as the Catalina Goby, Garibaldi, and others are very suitable for this kind of habitat.

Depending on where the tropical fishes were captured, they may not metabolize their foods properly at temperatures below 72F.

 

[myerst22]

Thanks Lee. I have decided to forego getting the Wrought. No need to set my self up for failure and see a fish die. I hope to set up a temperate display in the future and may try one then. Thanks again Lee. Tim