Butterfly for FOWLR

NeilSharpton

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Happy holidays everyone. I had a question regarding our FOWLR tank, and was looking for some advice. My wife really wants a butterfly fish, and happy wife = happy life. We currently have 1 Niger trigger, 1 Humma Humma, 1 panther grouper, 1 Koran angel, 1 foxface, 1 emperor angel, 1 mimic tang, 1 violet tang and 1 lionfish. What suggestions would you make for a butterfly? We also have a 75 gallon reef tank, so that's a maybe.
 

litsoh

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I think for most butterflies you need at least 100 gallons since they can get fairly big. I remember the Klein's and Pearlscale being on the smaller side when I was shopping around for my tank so those might work for yours

Only problem is I'm unsure how well they'd do with your other inhabitants
 

Seansea

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Think a racoon would go well here. On the hardier side. The triggers might tear it up tho. Rearrange rocks or put couple mirrors up to distract your big boys cuz they gonna go hellfire on it
 

italquam

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I have a 110 gallon with a Picasso trigger and Large Sailfin Tang, and I honestly feel like I could maybe add just a couple small fish because just not a large enough tank
 

Fish Think Pink

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Happy holidays everyone. I had a question regarding our FOWLR tank, and was looking for some advice. My wife really wants a butterfly fish, and happy wife = happy life. We currently have 1 Niger trigger, 1 Humma Humma, 1 panther grouper, 1 Koran angel, 1 foxface, 1 emperor angel, 1 mimic tang, 1 violet tang and 1 lionfish. What suggestions would you make for a butterfly? We also have a 75 gallon reef tank, so that's a maybe.
That 125 is stocked heavy , I don't think you can add more fish . Plus you have some big fish in there in my opinion.

Most butterfly fish aren't reef safe, and echoing the sentiments of @italquam it does seem pretty heavily stocked....

'Tis the season, start planning a 2nd FOWLR aka third tank :) I agree with you, happy wife = happy life! Third tank is also going to give you some options as your fish get older and bigger.

There are so many fish that aren't seen as often in the trades because so many mixed reef tanks, but there is a store that specializes in them - mostly they do nationwide shipping, but I'm lucky enough to be close to School of Fish in DeSoto, TX
 

Devaji

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I have a 200/275 I was thinking of doing a lot of butterflies in a "peaceful" FOWLR
I don't think I would add a BF to your current tank.

I like the idea of a 3rd tank one aggressive FOWLR and one peaceful -call it the wife tank and she gets to stock it -and pay for it too...lol
 

Peterrdee

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Butterfly fish don’t do well if they are like the last fish, even the big ones don’t appreciate being pushed around especially at the start! Always add more docile smaller butterflyfish right after clowns and before any aggressive fish like tangs and angels, you can get away with rabbit fish tho, they are usually the gentle big fish. My teardrop hasn’t done well with other butterflies because it won’t fight back that’s how docile it is, ripped fins and still will stay out and swim very close to my other fish, I think it just loves attention especially from me. Definitely if you want a very peaceful butterfly go for a teardrop but know they CANNOT hold their own at a small size this fish will not defend itself.
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Peterrdee

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I've had Pakistan Butterflies in a FOWLR. They are pretty tough butterflies.
Mine way way too small when I got it and they are more shy than most butterfly’s so basically wouldn’t eat and died, still would love to try a larger one tho! Such a gorgeous fish
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