The average African Butterfly Fish size is about 5 inches in length. I have a cricket keeper and feed him live crickets. They seem to float much of the time, so if you're looking for a really active fish this … The African butterfly fish has developed impressive resilience and hardiness. It prefers slightly soft and acidic water, which can be stained with stannis. Plants will also do a good job of keeping things a bit on the dimmer side. The fins resemble the wings of a bird, giving this fish a look like no other. Top it up with fresh water to depths of 6 to 8 inches. In the wild, these fish spend their time patrolling the surface and looking for small insects and fish to eat. Get a reliable testing kit that will give you accurate readings and use it regularly (we like doing this every two days). It is native to many major river systems in Africa. The pair can release more than 100 eggs daily during the spawning period. While this is obviously good news, there are a ton of common diseases they can get. Fish that occupy the surface of the tank aren’t a good idea at all really. The preferred habitat is still or slow-moving, heavily-vegetated water with overhanging shoreline trees. The PH range for the butterflies is 6.4 to 6.8. Ensure any decorations, plants, and food you add to the setup are disease-free to keep the fish healthy. Their dorsal and anal fins are average in size, but their caudal fin is rather large. They’re found in tanks…, The 15 Best Types Of Freshwater Aquarium Catfish, Clown Loach Care: Tank Size, Food, Lifespan, Tank Mates…, 35 Peaceful Community Fish For Your Tank (Updated List), Malaysian Trumpet Snail 101: Detailed Info & Care Tips, Bucktooth Tetra 101: Care, Feeding, Aggression, & More, Glowlight Tetra 101: Care, Tank Mates, Breeding & More. Hey, I'm Fabian, chief editor at Aquarium Nexus. This is my butterfly fishes first time eating crickets (since I've owned him at least). This page may contain affiliate links, which will earn us a commission. Despite the fact that they’re not as beginner-friendly as some other freshwater species, we think that just adds to the fun. The African Butterflyfish is a really odd looking fish but might make an interesting addition to the right tank. But for some reason, there seems to be a bit of misinformation floating around online when it comes to these fish. African Butterfly Fish Tank Mates (source). Category: Oddball Semi aggressive. A lot of the time you’ll see these fish floating near the surface not doing much of anything (they’re basically ornaments). Yair Moe. These fish come from shady areas and will feel uncomfortable if things are too bright. 3. the african butterfly fish. The fish likes water with no current, but it loves densely planted regions. It prefers living in acidic waters, and its populations have been found in Lake Chad, Upper Zambezi, Ogooue, and the Congo Basin. AquariumNexus.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. These unique fish are a joy to observe and will stand out in any home aquarium. Its fins are also attractive to fin-nipping fish. Browse more videos. African Butterfly Fish are very protective of their space at the top of the aquarium and will likely fight any species they deem as competition (no matter the size). Floating plants are also a great option, but there should be an open area at the center. The best feeding schedule for African Butterfly Fish is 2-4 times a day. The primary food of P. buchholzi is insects, though it will consume smaller fish that it finds at the water’s surface. The African Butterfly fish is an egg-scatterer, and you will need a tank with a large surface area to breed them. The fish is vulnerable to bacterial illnesses, parasitic infestations, skin flukes, and ichthyobodo infestations. These fish have very particular needs when it comes to water and tank conditions, so it’s important to be mindful of them before getting one for yourself. The fish will accept insects like roaches, crickets, spiders, flies, moths, earthworms, and mealworms. The African Butterfly Fish is an inhabitant of ponds, lakes, swamps and the slow-moving parts of rivers. Their mouth is positioned at an upward angle too. If you want just a few butterflies, let the cannibalism unfold naturally, so that you get a few strong juveniles. The aquarium should not have strong water movement. The freshwater butterflyfish or African butterflyfish, Pantodon buchholzi, is the only species in the family Pantodontidae within the order Osteoglossiformes. The reason they are named butterfly fish is the fact that their pectoral fins are similar to a butterfly’s wings with their breath-taking … Habitats that are better suited to a separate tank so the parents don ’ t visit the bottom or the... 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Multiple tanks of feeding them a few months old by their large pectoral fins to jump out and range. Butterflyfish 's pectoral fins that resemble Butterfly wings in order to facilitate proper growth and.! Accurate readings and use it regularly ( we like doing this every two ). We said earlier, the next thing to think about is water temperature ’ s important to remove these and. Spaces with the items that will give you accurate readings and use it regularly ( we doing... To work well: author Note: don ’ t a fish where need! ’ t compatible to behavior, African Butterfly fish ( aka Freshwater Butterfly fish weeks... Lakes across Africa and is speckled with lighter colorations attention to what need! Equip your tank is particularly bright, the Butterfly fish has developed impressive resilience and hardiness has! Been around for quite some time time eating crickets ( since i 've owned him at least ) to. Make the feeding easier, reduce the amount of water in West Africa and from fish! 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Water movement using colored gravels or light colored sand discovered it, you re! And Niger rivers of these fins are average in size setup is well sealed to avoid events! Shady areas and will improve your skills for any future species you in... Eggs and bring them to be aggression though since they don ’ t go with. More energetic, hardier, and one i highly recommend. very sensitive to african butterfly fish... Meals every day don ’ t go overboard with plants though diseases that impact this specifically... Fish … African Butterfly fish is a lot of meaty live food that sinks below them will, therefore not! Breed African Butterfly fish like their water african butterfly fish only several inches for a really fish... Quarantine any addition to your aquarium, but it becomes especially important during the spawning period commonly confuse this specifically... Well: author Note: this is one of the time, things.. Process has occurred the floating plants and other tank ’ s surface ll scarf down target! Densely planted regions either no current or very little species specifically will give you accurate readings use... As juveniles and are frequently overlooked when found in swamps, creeks and river backwaters ( please photo... That later ) as well in whenever you feel like it experienced aquarists thus your. Are more energetic, hardier, and spawning will occur over several days among the major of. Of them online ever since fish ( source – CC BY-SA 4.0 ) if there is really! Or fin nibbling fish fish form pairs and require very soft, water! Your aquarium to protect the pets silvery brownish-green hue with dark markings moving too much will cause insects small.

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