Among the most famous of reef inhabitants are the bold and brilliant butterfly fish. These should not be confused with the African butterfly fish which lives in fresh water and looks very different. Marine butterfly fish are much easier to keep and are popular with aquarium owners everywhere. Still, their highly specific dietary needs mean that they cannot be recommended for the beginner.
Butterfly Fish Dietary Needs and Care
The dietary needs of butterfly fish are complex and variable. Some will only eat coral polyps and all types need some coral in their diet, so you'll need a well developed reef to support them. Fortunately, most species are solitary or happy to live in mated pairs, so there's no need to struggle to support a shoal. You should expect to have to buy fresh coral on a regular basis to provide proper nutrition for your butterfly fish, especially if you are keeping the more difficult species, so make sure that you can afford this commitment.Butterfly fish need to be fed several times a day.Those which are not exclusively coral eaters require a highly varied diet, but this can include most kinds of aquarium food, including flakes, freeze dried food and live brine shrimp and plankton. There are some commercial preparations available which are specifically designed to provide the right balance of nutrients for butterfly fish.
Butterfly fish are particularly vulnerable to parasite infections, so benefit from sharing their environment with cleaner fish. They are generally non-aggressive and easy to keep in a community tank, though they may occasionally nip at other fish. Try to avoid keeping them with other fish of similar appearance. You should make sure that they have plenty of space to swim around and plenty of hiding places.
