Pakistani Butterfly

I just purchased a beautiful Pakistani Butterfly at my LFS and found out that they like to munch on corals with polyps. I was wondering what specific corals do they eat? What if the corals have stinging cells? I dont have any corals right now but it would be nice to be able to get them. Are there any corals that I could have that have (long) polyps (im not a big sps kinda guy)

thanks!

 

Most fish that bother corals, including angels and butterfly fish tend to like lps, such as chalice corals, favia, acans etc. They may also nip clam mantles. Im not sure if they will go after soft corals or not.

 

they probably will eat soft coral too since they eat aptasia

 

I had a Pakistani Butterfly i could not get him out my tank fast enuff before he had a buffet on my Gonioporia, Clam, Zoo's, and some Sps.... I hope you get a good natured one and doesnt eat nothin but the food you give...!!! GOOD LUCk...!!

 

thanks for the info guys. It's too bad cuz its a REALLY pretty fish, I really dont want to have to sell it. I might put in a small frag of GSP and see if he eats em. If so, ill have to sell because I dont think i can live without corals for much longer!

 

You can always try. It really depends on the specific fish. I've had a copperband in my tank that never touched a coral, and have a singapore angel right now that is a model citizen.
I would give it a try. Put those GSP's in there, and I would try some zoa's too. See what happens. Just make sure your keeping it well fed as well. If its not going hungry, it will be less likely to try and make a meal out of anything else

 

I agree with PackLeader, Add small amouts of corals over time so it can adapt to them.. I noticed when i had mine it was hunting down the lil creepy crawlies in the rocks... Heres a idea for ya if you can get some live Brine shirmp..?? or tiger pods..?? i had a pretty big GSP colony the butterfly didnt touch thoes.. And lastly every reefer need's a bucket of this ..... GOOD LUCK...!!

 

There is a big difference between putting a copperband in a reef, and putting a pakistani in.
The copperband normally won't touch corals but will feed on aptasia and dusters and worms.
The pakistani will feed on just about anything.
I have a copperband in a reef with clams and a sebae anemone, but my pakistani is in a fish only tank.
For me, the pakistani is the most striking colouration of the butterflies.

 

i wanted a carbon fiber fish so badly.. ended up with an emperor angel, lemmon butterfly, and a henachious butterfly.. or however you spell that.. they eat shrooms like its going out of style.. so i tend to stay away from those now.. a bit off topic but will these non reef safe fish pick at anemones? i don't have one but have been considering one recently..