Butterflies!! Who's got em.... in a Reef.

[JDigital]

^^ Interesting info Myka... I know Zoas are toxic, but did not know they actively release toxins into the water column.. Will have to look into that more. Thanks.

I wanted something different in regards to fish... Everyone has Tangs, Clowns, Wrasses, etc... I don't think I have come across a tank on Canreef (except for seanoman mentioning his/her tank just now) where there is a Butterfly..

[Mrfish55]

Quite a few people keep Copper Band Butterflies (Marie has a beauty) mine was doing well untill the coral band shrimp got hold of him I would have to agree that 40gal is too small for a butterfly.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by JDigital

^^ Interesting info Myka... I know Zoas are toxic, but did not know they actively release toxins into the water column.. Will have to look into that more. Thanks.

You're welcome. Leathers also release toxins into the water. In fact, most corals have the ability, some are just worse than others.

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by Myka

Ya, I think 40g is too small for any Butterfly. What about a nice Fairy Wrasse?

Also, keeping zoas with SPS isn't the best idea as the zoas release toxins that irritate SPS. Zoas have a tendency to take over like a weed too, and will sting and damage SPS. If you do try it, you will have to run a significant amount of carbon to absorb the toxins from the zoas, and large amounts of carbon are also known to reduce polyp extension on SPS. It's kind of a lose, lose situation.

Originally Posted by Myka

You're welcome. Leathers also release toxins into the water. In fact, most corals have the ability, some are just worse than others.

Good info to know. We have a lot of zoos in our tank and run carbon, in the past we have never been able to keep SPS, the zoos never touched the SPS but still, it makes me wonder. I always just thought it was bad lighting/flow not enough calcium or something, but maybe not.

[Lance]

Originally Posted by JDigital

^^
I wanted something different in regards to fish... Everyone has Tangs, Clowns, Wrasses, etc... I don't think I have come across a tank on Canreef (except for seanoman mentioning his/her tank just now) where there is a Butterfly..

Emily B keeps Butterflys, or at least she used to. Beautiful tank and fish.

[EmilyB]

Originally Posted by Lance

Emily B keeps Butterflys, or at least she used to. Beautiful tank and fish.

Thank you, I posted....he never noticed I guess.....

[Delphinus]

Hey, I have a butterfly too! I keep a CBB.

The best reef safe choice is supposedly Hemitauricthys polylepis, the pyramid butterfly.

But I'm afraid to say I too believe none belong in a 40g cube, sorry man. Just too big of a fish.

[JDigital]

Thanks guys.. I have scrapped that idea.. I'll come up with something else unique I guess...

[wgama]

O I know a guy who keeps copper band butterflies in his reef tanks with no problems.

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by wgama

O I know a guy who keeps copper band butterflies in his reef tanks with no problems.

Yea, I should have mentioned in my first post I was thinking of butterflies other than the very common CBB.