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Hi! After reading the profile online and seeing a butterfly in the store I was just wondering about other peoples experienses with them. Good, Bad? Thinking about adding one to a 46 gal community tank....

Inky

Are you thinking of Pantodon buchholzi by any chance?

As in this critter?

Hmm, any 'community' this would go in would need careful planning. Bear in mind it reaches 5 inches in length, and is one of the most rocket-propelled jumpers you'll ever encounter, upon account of the fact that it's a true freshwater flying fish!

Plus, it fares best when its owner has an ample supply of live insects such as wingless fruit flies to feed it. I'd rate this as a more 'specialist' fish, and I'd look for something a little less specialised unless [1] you're dedicated to keeping it, and [2] you've done the research. It can live with some other fish species in an aquarium, but you need to be extra careful about the choices, because it has a cavernous mouth for its size, and can swallow surprisingly large morsels if it's hungry enough! Admittedly it prefers its food near the surface, and in the wild eats LOTS of small insects, but I suspect if you were foolish enough to tempt it with some small Neon Tetras, the Neons would become an expensive lunch.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

That would be the fish...
I was considering putting it with mollys and an angel, and some bottom feeders. I've had many a fish before, and am planning for a well-decorated, unpopulated, well-planted tank 46 gal tank, which I will be adding fish to after the new year, though I may add the mollys as soon as I get the filter.

Inky

Do you feed them flakes or live food (Crickets?)

Inky

Big ones will eat crickets. Smaller ones will eat wingless fruit flies and similar fare.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Would they do okay in a 46 gal? This is the stock list I am currently considering:

1 Butterfly
1 Angel
5 Mollys + Fry
Harmless yet pretty bottom feeders that I am undecided upon. Would this work out or is it a disaster waiting to happen? I may feed them pellets instead of flakes to keep them away from the top, coz I know they are territorial. What do you think?

Inky

Should work, though you may loose some fry. You are actually understocked, so there should be no reason why you can't fit one. just be sure to cover the top.