I am setting up a 250 gallon FOWLR and was wondering about experiences with butterflys and angels in a system. Generally if they can live together and if so which species go well together and which should be avoided. In the past i have had reefs and just stayed away completely.
FOWLR vs Reef
- Thread starter bilbo80
- Start date
Hi and :welcome:
This is one of the reasons I've setup a FOWLR tank again - I missed having some of the Angels and Butterflies that are not reef safe!
There are some beautiful species of Butterflies that will coexist peacefully, just be sure to select species that are hardy, ship well and typically do well in captivity (many do not).
A good list of species to consider are shown here on Bob Fenner's site: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Goodchaetodon.htm
A lot of info here too: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/part2.htm
As for Angels - many are aggressive and highly territorial and most experts will recommend against mixing different species in the same tank. IME it can be done but is often hit/miss and stocking order can be critical. Many have been successful mixing a dwarf (Centropyge sp.) with something from a larger genus either added together or with the smaller angel going in first.
Again, some good Angel info at Fenner's site: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fishindex3.htm
Scott Michael has some excellent info in his books too:
Reef Fishes Volume 3 - Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes
PocketExpert Guide: Marine Fishes
HTH
This is one of the reasons I've setup a FOWLR tank again - I missed having some of the Angels and Butterflies that are not reef safe!
There are some beautiful species of Butterflies that will coexist peacefully, just be sure to select species that are hardy, ship well and typically do well in captivity (many do not).
A good list of species to consider are shown here on Bob Fenner's site: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Goodchaetodon.htm
A lot of info here too: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/part2.htm
As for Angels - many are aggressive and highly territorial and most experts will recommend against mixing different species in the same tank. IME it can be done but is often hit/miss and stocking order can be critical. Many have been successful mixing a dwarf (Centropyge sp.) with something from a larger genus either added together or with the smaller angel going in first.
Again, some good Angel info at Fenner's site: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fishindex3.htm
Scott Michael has some excellent info in his books too:
Reef Fishes Volume 3 - Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes
PocketExpert Guide: Marine Fishes
HTH
I have set up a butterfly only tank using the info found on wwm and I have 4 now. The biggest is a Auriga and has become one of the most vicous fish I have ever had. Even when he has eaten to satiety 3 x's a day, he still won't let the pearlscale come out from behind the rocks. He attacks it as soon as he pokes his head out. I had to seperate the tank into the Auriga and a yellow tang on one side, and all the others on the other. I don't know if the Auriga is an anomalty or the norm.
Aurigas/Threadfins are one of the more, if not the most aggressive butterflies, but it sounds like you have one that's particularly nasty (the size difference probaby isn't helping either). How big is the tank? Was the Threadfin added before the Pearlscale? So far, my Threadfin is OK with my Racoon, but the latter is no push-over and they were added together (in a 180).
In a butterfly tank I would add the Threadfin last. The flip side to this is that many butterflies are too passive/shy to do well in a community tank that contains aggressive Tangs, Angels, etc. but Threadfins can usually hold their own against other fish.
In a butterfly tank I would add the Threadfin last. The flip side to this is that many butterflies are too passive/shy to do well in a community tank that contains aggressive Tangs, Angels, etc. but Threadfins can usually hold their own against other fish.
The tang is actually the most docile. I keep a piece of nori on his magfloat so he can graze all day, and he became very tame and calm quickly.
The tank is a 75 plumbed into a 250 gallon system so I can feed a lot. I actually lost the raccoon I added before I thought to separate them. The weird thing is, he leaves the Henniochus alone. Looks too different so he doesn't know he supposed to be mean to him?
I ordered a fishtrap so I can trade the Auriga in.
The tank is a 75 plumbed into a 250 gallon system so I can feed a lot. I actually lost the raccoon I added before I thought to separate them. The weird thing is, he leaves the Henniochus alone. Looks too different so he doesn't know he supposed to be mean to him?
I ordered a fishtrap so I can trade the Auriga in.
Like all fish they definitely have individual personalities, but stocking order and tank size are definitely factors as well. IMO the latter may be the problem (or at least adding to it) in your case.
Given the size that most Butterflies/Tangs can attain and the swimming room they require, personally, I would not attempt to put more than one or two in anything but a large tank.
Given the size that most Butterflies/Tangs can attain and the swimming room they require, personally, I would not attempt to put more than one or two in anything but a large tank.
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