FishProfiles.com Message Forums

	African Butterfly Fish and Tank Mates
inlikefish Hobbyist Posts: 132 Kudos: 64 Votes: 2 Registered: 18-Oct-2003	I have a 20 gallon long tank. I currently have 1 bolivian ram, 1 BN pleco (which I rarely see), 4 danios, 2 swordtails (and about 10 of thier babies), 2 panda cories, and one betta. I want to add an african butterfly fish. Will they be good tankmates? Im not worried about the babies (Im kinda looking for something that will take care of my swordtail population) What im more worried about is the betta. Will the betta think thats another male fish?
Posted 30-Mar-2006 01:10
Fallout Moderator Communications Specialist Posts: 6416 Kudos: 4053 Votes: 742 Registered: 29-Jul-2000	I think it might be hit and miss with a butterfly. They've got some long fins, and the betta and/or danios may see them as too much of a temptation to leave alone. However, some fish will be just fine with them and leave the fish totally alone. I'm inclined to say it'd most likely work, but always have a plan B where you can remove the fish to safe quarters first before trying. Also, have a good sealing cover and for a treat, chuck in some baby crickets
Posted 30-Mar-2006 15:26
inlikefish Hobbyist Posts: 132 Kudos: 64 Votes: 2 Registered: 18-Oct-2003	Thanks! Im kinda weary about the betta. I'll research some more before I even attempt to buy one.
Posted 30-Mar-2006 19:03
mrwizerd Big Fish Posts: 360 Kudos: 197 Votes: 75 Registered: 24-Oct-2005	The butterfly will eat the babies if they are close to him on the surface. The cories need to be in a group of at least 6 they will be a lot happier and a ton more personable in groups of 6+ they seem to like 10+ better but 6 is the minimum usually. Just something to keep in mind.
Posted 30-Mar-2006 20:01
inlikefish Hobbyist Posts: 132 Kudos: 64 Votes: 2 Registered: 18-Oct-2003	I understand that the cories would do better in a group. I cant very well find the panda cories for sale here right now. Also having 10+ isnt good for a 20 gallon tank. I dont care about them eating the babies, thats essentially what Im looking for, population control. Im really only wondering about the betta and the african buttefly fish fighting.
Posted 30-Mar-2006 20:49
resle Enthusiast Posts: 273 Kudos: 112 Votes: 14 Registered: 09-Oct-2004	i had one with danios and let me tell u they didnt last long, he ate them all. basically as long as no other fish swim near the top everything will be ok. the betta and danios and possibly the swordtails will inevitably cause problems since they both hang around the surface the rest is fine
Posted 30-Mar-2006 22:54
inlikefish Hobbyist Posts: 132 Kudos: 64 Votes: 2 Registered: 18-Oct-2003	thanks resle. Thats good info, makes me feel I should wait until I dont have the betta. I wouldnt mind the danio's being eaten (im tired of these starter fish, ive had them well over 2 years!!!!)
Posted 30-Mar-2006 23:10
Posted 31-Mar-2006 01:50	This post has been deleted
inlikefish Hobbyist Posts: 132 Kudos: 64 Votes: 2 Registered: 18-Oct-2003	Edited by inlikefish Do any of you actually read the posts? I said that I CAN NOT find any more panda cories here. I also stated that I need something to control my swordtail population. I dont agree with you that my tank is pretty stocked. The danios are at the end of thier life cycle, they are already 3 years old, i dont think they will be around much longer. I also find it a little funny that you tell me my tank is already stocked and cant add 1 fish, but yet, you tell me to add 4 more. Seems a little contradicting.
Posted 31-Mar-2006 19:12
GirlieGirl8519 Fish Master Malawi Planter Posts: 1468 Kudos: 1029 Votes: 35 Registered: 25-Mar-2005	Could you move the betta to a 5g or 10g? In most stores 5g tanks are not that expensive. Or you could get a 5g just in case it doesn't get along with the ABF. That way you will know you have backup. I think you are stocked. Adding the ABF will be fine, but I wouldn't add anything more than that, unless you find some pandas...then I would add a few more. And I understand about not being able to get any more pandas. I have 6 in my 29g and would like to get 4 more, but I can't find them anywhere. They do better in bigger groups, but you have to locate them first. *Kristin*
Posted 01-Apr-2006 07:07
Inkling Fish Addict Posts: 689 Kudos: 498 Votes: 11 Registered: 07-Dec-2005	Edited by Inkling I must have missed the part about you not being able to find more pandas. Yes, I do read the posts though, and I am sorry if I missed something. Also, I told you to add more pandas instead of the butterfly because the butterfly would be bigger. Also the pandas are bottom feeders and will school at the bottom of the tank and not in the middle like the rest of your fish. I'm not trying to argue, I'm just telling you what I think. Inky
Posted 04-Apr-2006 01:07
inlikefish Hobbyist Posts: 132 Kudos: 64 Votes: 2 Registered: 18-Oct-2003	i didnt mean to come across as rude. Thank you for your replies. Im holding off on the ABF until I move at the end of the month, Ill be purchasing another tank as an "oddity" tank, with the ABF in there with maybe some other wierd animals.
Posted 04-Apr-2006 18:21
Inkling Fish Addict Posts: 689 Kudos: 498 Votes: 11 Registered: 07-Dec-2005	Edited by Inkling That sounds like it would be fun to plan. I always wanted an Angelfish and ABF tank (my version of an oddity tank ) Anyway, Have fun planning your tank Inky
Posted 04-Apr-2006 18:24
inlikefish Hobbyist Posts: 132 Kudos: 64 Votes: 2 Registered: 18-Oct-2003	Thanks! im thinking of putting some cherry shrimp in there with it. Not sure what else i could put in there for being an "oddity tank" but im working on it. This way, Ill be able to put the swordtail fry in the oddity tank for live food, hence controlling my swordtail population.
Posted 04-Apr-2006 18:37
Inkling Fish Addict Posts: 689 Kudos: 498 Votes: 11 Registered: 07-Dec-2005	You can always surf the profiles and look for something that looks interesting that will go with your tank. Try going here: http://www.fishprofiles.com/profiles/list.aspx?compatibility=488 ^_^ Inky
Posted 05-Apr-2006 02:23
Big E Fish Addict Posts: 606 Kudos: 382 Votes: 0 Registered: 20-Feb-2001	With the ABF, be sure and have a completely covered tank. Mine jumped out of a 29 (with floating plants up top) that had a hole that I'd swear wasn't much bigger around than a quarter (near the water flow return on my hang on back filter). ABFs jump. Mine lived in the tank about 6-8 months before making his leap for freedom while I was at work. So, fully covered tank or a really good cover and drop your water level a few inches. I'm really not trying to be discouraging. I loved mine - they are such cool fish - just trying to save you the pain I felt. Eric
Posted 05-Apr-2006 02:52
inlikefish Hobbyist Posts: 132 Kudos: 64 Votes: 2 Registered: 18-Oct-2003	Oh, right, Ill be sure to have my tank completly covered. Thanks for the link Inkling!
Posted 05-Apr-2006 18:37


	Jump to:

The views expressed on this page are the implied opinions of their respective authors.
Under no circumstances do the comments on this page represent the opinions of the staff of FishProfiles.com.

FishProfiles.com Forums, version 11.0
Mazeguy Smilies