Help Wrong Fish

[cvosk]

Just go a fish order today and instead of snails I got 4 Latticed Butterflyfish. I called the place and they do not want them back.

I have them in my Qt tank right now wondering what to do with them.
Do I dare put them in my reef tank ( I know they are not reef safe) or am I just asking for trouble?

Has anyone tried one in a reef tank if so what did they eat?

Anyone have any in a fish only tank if so do they get along with each other???
Ceemo


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[OUinLA]

I would see if anyone in your local club might want them. I've never had one before so I can't give you any advice on putting it in your tank. But, since it's not reef safe, i'd look for another home.

[KLBJR]

yes, you are asking for lots of trouble! butterflies are know for lots and lots of nipping! they even eat parts of some corals.

[SEAREEF]

dont do it they are polyp eaters in the wild ,your reef will be a smorgasbord .

[Ger]

I wouldn't do it..... you are asking for trouble.

[cvosk]

So far they are in my QT tank and one has a line of lifted up scales can't decide if it is just out of wack from shipping or from something else pushing the scales up.
I do know people with FO tanks and they would be vary happy to get them. My husband being the understanding man that he is said " well you wanted a bigger tank I guess now would be a good time to get one, " He is so understanding.

There is no way I would take them to the local LFS all we have is a "chain" one and they don't have the heathiest fish in there woulden't wish that on a fish. No club either "small town life!".

Thanks for your input I will NOT put them in my reef.
Any ideas on what they like to eat , or what you have gotten yours to eat.
Also will they all 4 get along in one tank if I decide to just get a new tank? Are they schooling fish, or will they get agressive toward each other?

[SEAREEF]

they love brn worms

[mesocosm]

Greetings All !

So far they are in my QT tank and one has a line of lifted up scales can't decide if it is just out of wack from shipping or from something else pushing the scales up.

You would think that a linear scale disruption is probably collection/handling/shipping related. You might wish to keep an eye on his coloration, general behavior, and feeding behavior. You wouldn't think that an ectoparasitic infection would exhibit a symmetrical pattern ... but stranger things happen. You might also wish to watch for an opportunistic infection problem to emerge ... FWIW ... it's probably too soon to know if there's a real problem.

Any ideas on what they like to eat , or what you have gotten yours to eat.
Also will they all 4 get along in one tank if I decide to just get a new tank? Are they schooling fish, or will they get agressive toward each other?

Are we talking about Chaetodon rafflesii (pictured above)? If so, this information might be useful ...

Biology Extract: Often in pairs (Ref. 9710, 48636). Feed on sea anemones, polychaetes, and octocorallian and scleractinian coral polyps. Oviparous (Ref. 205). In captivity, this species should be fed algae stones and the so-called 'feeding stones' which are prepared by spreading the food pulp over the stone. (Fishbase.org Species Summary).

Feeding Habit: hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding Type: mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
(Fishbase.org Ecology Summary)

Natural diet includes cnidarians (in general), hard corals (specifically), benthic invertebrates, and polychaete worms (Fishbase.org Food Item Reports).

Description of life cycle and mating behavior: Distinct pairing (Ref. 205).
(Fishbase.org Reproduction Summary).

Butterflies, in general, are very social fishes. I would think that they will probably aggregate happily ... until they sexually mature and the "pairing-mating" thing kicks in.

Then things might change ... ...

As far as feeding in captivity ... I'm with SEAREEF. Brine shrimp to get them eating ... if necessary. And they have a serious taste for live worms.

HTH ...

[cvosk]

Here is what it looks like today. I have no Idea what it is or how to treat it. The other three have no marks and have started eating today.
The fish just hangs out at the bottom of the tank but does swim around occasionaly.
Any help on how to treat it.
[IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]

Hope these photos come up.
Camille