Should I risk a butterfly fish?

[Len]

I'm really thinking about trying a declivis or tinker's butterfly in my reef. On the fence, so you guys help me decide

 

[Anonymous]

Don't know about either of those. My CBB is behaving good so far. It's only been a week so we will see how it does. I hope it does well my 2nd daughter has been wanting one for years so if I have to boot it she would be really hurt.

 

[Anonymous]

Get a mitratus. Way cooler looking than those.

 

[Mike612]

I've seen the Declevis recently at an lfs. It's really not as pretty as the internet and books make it out to be. Seeing as how the Tinker's is a darker version of it, I would assume it's also pretty ugly. They really aren't reef safe in any case. I'm sure he'll pick at your coral. I have a Pyramid Butterfly in my reef. It's very reef safe, pretty, and not rare but definately uncommon. Maybe you should look into that.

Just reading in my Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes book by Scott W. Michael, he says that the Tinker's Butterfly will eat tubeworms and may nip at soft coral polyps and will 100% pick at gorgonians. It is rare for it to pick at hard coral but if it does, it is more likely to go after lps coral than sps. He goes on to say that it should be housed in a dimly lit aquarium though so seeing as how you've got a beautiful reef, I'm not so sure how well it will take the light or the coral. He might not show himself as much as you would like in a reef with bright lights.

 

[Len]

They come from deep water, which is why Scott recommends dim tanks. But 95% of all deepwater fish do very well in bright tanks per experience (most of the fish I keep are from deepwater). I'm just concerned about my LPS corals. I don't know if I want to risk my elegance coral.

NKT had a tinker's in his 60 gallon reef, but he is really lucky with risky fish in reefs

I like how Declevis/Tinker/Mitratus/Burgess look. It's a nice Chaetonoid complex to me.

 

[Philwd]

I have a Declevis in a reef. His nickname is peckerhead. As soon as I can get him out my corals will have PE again.

MY LFS got in a couple Tinker's. The manager told me one went into a reef and went to town.

But I've read several stories where the fish were well behaved.

 

[Len]

Thanks Phil. I think I'm not willing to risk it in my tank. I've heard differing experiences too, but when it comes down to it, I have too many nice corals to chance it. :welcome: