Talk me out of getting a Golden Butterflyfish

FishFinatic ;) · Sep 24, 2019

So...... I'm in a little bit of a pickle. I have a 120 gallon tank, that just is starting to get water in it (yay!) I currently have a porcupine pufferfish in a smaller tank, but he's only about two inches right now, so that's his temporary home until the 120 gets cycled.

Anyways, the point of this post is that I really, like really, really want a Golden Butterflyfish. (Plus, my 120 is going to be FOWLR, no coral). But, I already maybe kinda possibly committed to a dwarf lionfish and a cowfish. So, I'm going to have a few pretty good sized fish in my tank.

Since I started in the hobby, I've always wanted a Golden Butterfly, but I'm worried now I may be in over my head when it comes to which fish I should get or not. I can always back out of my commitment to the lionfish, (sorry, that cowfish is going to stay lol) but by the same token, I also really want a Golden Butterflyfish. And, on top of that, I've heard Goldens can be pretty expensive, but my LFS said they'd get me one if I really want one. Ugh! My mind is going in a million directions lol. But, the question I'm asking is, should I get a Golden Butterflyfish? And if no, I need someone to talk me out of it.... cause maybe then I won't go as crazy

vetteguy53081 · Sep 24, 2019

I'll talk you out of it. They get to 9", NON-reef safe and need at least a 125 gal tank
Color Form Black, Orange, Yellow

Diet Omnivore

Reef Compatible No

Water conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size 9"

Family Chaetodontidae

Minimum Tank Size 125 gallons

nereefpat · Sep 24, 2019

I would get a lemonpeel angel instead. Much cheaper.

Gareth elliott · Sep 24, 2019

Butterflies are not like tangs for the most part aggression wise. Most species are fine with another species in the same tank.(can be very aggressive to the same sex of the same species, and there is no way to determine gender)

So could always start with a cheaper species and move on towards a more difficult species.

Butterfly difficulty comes in 3 flavors with some mixing.

1). Shipping, delicate mouth parts do not always travel well over large distances. Ex atlantic long nose, easy if arrives healthy.

2). Finicky eaters, your CBB. Stress can make these adapting to eating in captivity difficult.

3). Your coralivores. In the wild these usually only eat acroporas and to a lesser extent pociloporas. Most will never adapt to anything else. Eight-banded Butterflyfish As an example.

FishFinatic ;) · Sep 24, 2019

Okay... I'm semi convinced. Although.... I'm not getting coral, so that won't be a problem. (But there's also the issue of getting them to eat.) But..... I'm also worried about having too many bigger fish in my tank. I'm stubborn when it comes to Golden Butterflies lol

What else ya got??

Montiman · Sep 24, 2019

Golden Butterflies are one of my favorites and are honestly one of the easiest butterflies to take care of. I have had many in swim tanks at the LFS I used to work at and they did great. My only reservations about getting one is that I only have reef tanks and they are a marginally reef safe species. In a FOWLR I say go for it.

lion king · Sep 24, 2019

The golden butterfly is a difficult fish to keep, they really should be kept jn at least a 6 foot tank, and they will utilize the entire length. I would not do it as they may decline due to the limitations in space. I would also do alot more research of the cowfish, they get huge and very specific requirements to thrive, most are short lived, they have a very high mortality rate.

I have seen them come in eating more times than in the past, and that doesn't seem to be the reason of the decline. Try and find info from people who have actually kept them more than a year or so.

Jay Z · Sep 24, 2019

Unless you can get another 5 gallons of water in that tank, its not going to fit! must be 125!

Montiman · Sep 24, 2019

I am not sure where other people's struggles are coming from. Goldens eat very readily. They are not Obligate Coralivores. In a FOWLR tank with minimal rocks they would do great and are drop dead gorgeous. If you are nervous about the fish eating watch the LFS feed them.

FishFinatic ;) · Sep 24, 2019

Montiman said:
Golden Butterflies are one of my favorites and are honestly one of the easiest butterflies to take care of. I have had many in swim tanks at the LFS I used to work at and they did great. My only reservations about getting one is that I only have reef tanks and they are a marginally reef safe species. In a FOWLR I say go for it.

Okay... now you're just giving me more reasons to get one!! Ahhhhh! I'm conflicted lol...

puffy127 · Sep 24, 2019

I had no issues with getting them to eat or being sensitive. I have 2 in my 125 g FOWLR:

FishFinatic ;) · Sep 24, 2019

lion king said:
The golden butterfly is a difficult fish to keep, they really should be kept jn at least a 6 foot tank, and they will utilize the entire length. I would not do it as they may decline due to the limitations in space. I would also do alot more research of the cowfish, they get huge and very specific requirements to thrive, most are short lived, they have a very high mortality rate.

I have seen them come in eating more times than in the past, and that doesn't seem to be the reason of the decline. Try and find info from people who have actually kept them more than a year or so.

About the cowfish... I've actually had one in the past and he did pretty well. He died eventually, but he thrived for a while. I think I'm gonna go ahead with the cowfish, but I do appreciate the input.

Cassian · Sep 24, 2019

First of all, I would say you need a very established tank before getting a butterfly. They like to pick at rocks and graze a lot. Also, I would think a 120 would be slightly too small for that fish

lion king · Sep 24, 2019

puffy127 said:
I had no issues with getting them to eat or being sensitive. I have 2 in my 125 g FOWLR:

How long have you had them, and what else is in the tank. One point you have a 6 foot tank, a 120g is a 4 foot tank, that makes a big difference.

FishFinatic ;) · Sep 24, 2019

puffy127 said:
I had no issues with getting them to eat or being sensitive. I have 2 in my 125 g FOWLR:

They are BEAUTIFUL. I'm soooo tempted. People keep saying 125.... but what difference does 5 gallons of water make? (Lol, I do understand that there's a minimum for a reason...)

lion king · Sep 24, 2019

FishFinatic ;) said:
About the cowfish... I've actually had one in the past and he did pretty well. He died eventually, but he thrived for a while. I think I'm gonna go ahead with the cowfish, but I do appreciate the input.

Whats a while, if it wasn't 10 years or more, you did not have "success". A year or two is not "success".

Jay Z · Sep 24, 2019

lion king said:
Whats a while, if it wasn't 10 years or more, you did not have "success". A year or two is not "success".

It is if its a elderly fish!

lion king · Sep 24, 2019

FishFinatic ;) said:
They are BEAUTIFUL. I'm soooo tempted. People keep saying 125.... but what difference does 5 gallons of water make? (Lol, I do understand that there's a minimum for a reason...)

It's not the 5g, it"s the 2 foot in length.