Butterfly question

sssnake · 04-30-2006, 05:04 AM

Can a raccoon & copperband butterfly be introduced to the tank at the same time in order to avoid agressive behavior or will this not matter at all (meaning they will eventually square off anyway).

I'm asking because I have a copperband in QT at the LFS and spotted a really beautiful raccoon which I'd also like to get.

These will most probably be the last fish I wil put into the tank.

Thanks.

sssnake · 05-01-2006, 03:57 AM

Anyone ?

Brandon1023 · 05-01-2006, 04:22 AM

Well in my opinion, I'm no expert but in a 120gal they might have enough room if put in at the same time. If not, I'm sure your LFS would give you a credit for one.

powdertang05 · 05-01-2006, 07:20 PM

i would not recommend that they dont have much room to move i would recommend atleast 200 or more gals so they would be ok together but normally to what ive seen butterflies are ok with each other in larger tanks

sssnake · 05-05-2006, 04:46 AM

Well...I didnt get the raccoon but bought a Pakistan instead. So now my last fish are the copperband and pakistan butterflies which went into my tank 2 days ago.

The butterflies are getting along well with each other.....but my sailfin and coral beauty are harrassing them.

Is this normal, will it subside in due time?

Thanks.

karlas · 05-08-2006, 08:45 AM

id keep an eye on them aggresion may last a few days they do this is my tank deal. but if any injuries start occuring you may have to remove one or try changing some of the rockwork. fish get there areas and changing rockwork moves there areas so sometines that works

coral reefer · 05-08-2006, 05:40 PM

I would have chosen the Raccoon butterfly instead of the Pakistani(Collare) as the common food of the Pakistani is coral polyps. The Raccoon is a very hardy and non-aggeressive and will eat a number of foods ie. frozen shrimps, clam as well as spirulina algae and seaweed and all sorts of micro and macroalgae. Butterfly fish under 2" inches or over 6" in size should be avoided due to acclimation problems. Also a tank that has been running for 6 months or more is beneficial for keeping butterfly fish healthy and also offers them things to pick on on your live rock.
I would try adding the butterfly fish together to your tank and also have them be different sizes.
Make sure to handle the Butterfly fish gently when adding them to your tank as well as getting them out of the pet shop tank as they will more than likely die if they thrash around in the net injuring their mouth, fins or body. Butterfly fish are good water monitors as they will show signs of stress and sickness if your water is not up to snuff. The use of a course substrate is beneficial as well for higher ph buffering capabilities and ease of cleaning detritus in your sand bed. Strong protein skimmer is a must as well as with most larger fish, they deficate often and alot!
Good luck with your fish!