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ButterflyfishButterfly fish ~ African Butterflyfish ~ African Butterfly Fish

Family: Pantodontidae

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Pantodon buchholziPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Matthew O\'Sullivan

     It's pretty obvious why they call this the "Butterfly fish", seen from above the pectoral fins are prettily patterned and look just like butterfly wings!

     Introduced in 1905, the unique and fascinating African Butterfly Fish is the only member of its species or family. Its widespread pectoral fins have lead to the designation of Butterfly Fish. These fins, a silvery brownish green patterned with dark markings, allow this fish to glide short distances across the surface of the water.

    The Butterfly Fish, also known as the African Butterfly Fish, is generally a good community fish. They can be a bit intolerant of other surface swimming fish however, and have been known to nip fins. They are a predator and will eat small fish. But on a positive note, they also become quite tame and will eat food from your fingers.

     The Butterfly Fish like a loosely planted shallow aquarium best, about 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) deep. One that has more length and width to it rather than depth gives them a large surface area. They do like some floating plant cover to lurk under as well. Be sure you have a good cover on the aquarium as this fish is an excellent jumper. See more butterfly fish facts below.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:      The Butterfly Fish, also called the African Butterflyfish or Freshwater Butterflyfish, was described by Peters in 1876. They are found in West Africa, Nigeria, Cameroons, Zaire.

Status:      The species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:      The Butterfly fish is also known as the African Butterfly Fish, African Butterflyfish, or Freshwater Butterflyfish. It has a flat head and back that is a light brown or greenish color with a silver sheen and has dark markings on the fins and underside. Its large pectoral fins are widespread and it uses them to glide over short distances. The wide lizard-like mouth is upturned at the top of the body, and true to form it eats all manner of surface insects..

Size - Weight:      The African Butterfly Fish generally get up to 4 inches (10 cm) in the aquarium. Most of the Butterfly Fish that we have seen are full grown or close to it.

Care and feeding:      Since they are carnivores, the Butterflyfish, African Butterflyfish, or Freshwater Butterflyfish will eat all types of protein foods. They especially like live insects. Feed flies, mosquito larvae, small spiders, worms, small fish and large flake food. We have had good success feeding them small crickets!

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:      These fish will swim in the top of the aquarium. It is best to keep it with other fish that swim in the middle or bottom of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:      Hardness: 8-12 ° dGH
     Ph: 6.5 to 7.0
     Temp: 77-82 ° F (25-28 ° C)

Social Behaviors:      They are generally a good community fish although they may eat small fish.

Sexual Differences:      The male is slimmer than the female, though that is hard to distinquish unless the female is fat due to carrying eggs. The rear edge of the anal fin of the male describes a convex curve and the fin rays form a tube (which is the genital organ). The rear edge of the female anal fin is straight.

Breeding/Reproduction:      Water conditions: The values given above were taken from the recommended breeding conditions.
     These fish are rather difficult to breed and peat filtration is recommended. Feed a pair with a large variety of live foods to induce spawning. Once spawning begins, 3 to 7 eggs will be produced at each pass. The eggs will float to the surface where you can use a spoon to transfer them to another aquarium. The pairing will continue for some time with a total of 80 to 200 eggs dropped per day. The eggs will hatch in about 36 hours. The fry are difficult to raise as they will only eat foods that float directly in front of their mouths. Some ideas on what to feed them can be found in Live Fish Foods, Foods for fish fry.

Availability:      The Butterflyfish, African Butterflyfish, or Freshwater Butterflyfish is usually available.

Author: David Brough

• African Butterflyfish: $8.99

Pantodon Buchholzi African Butterfly Fish Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $8.99

Comments
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Latest Comments
Thanks for all the info. Just wondering if it is bad to have two in a 55gal,... or would they be ok. Reply Ryan 2008-10-20
Replies (1) yes it is okay... Anonymous
are these fish poisoness or anything that could harm other big fish cause i had a 3 year old jack dempsy in the tank and the 2 day i had these fish my jack died and he had 4 little nip marks with fuzz on him and i just wanna know everything about thses little guys? please help thank you Reply Jennifer 2009-12-16
Replies (2) They are not poisonous, however if the dempsy was floating, the butterfly could have taken nips of it. The fuzz sounds like it could be a fungus, or it could be tissue damage after the fish died.... Jackie no they are not poisonous try putting them in a tank with fish the same size... yulian
I have a butterfly fish along with a mudskipper and 2 minnows and they get along just fine. The mudskipper sits on the rock we have and hides under while the minnows stay in the middle and the butterfly fish stays on the top. I would recommend this fish to anyone who has a freshwater tank. Reply some fish lover! 2009-10-23
Hello, people. I currently have 2 butterfly fish in a 50 ltr tank living with 6 cherry barbs, 3 filamented barbs, and a bristle nose catfish. I've had them for a few months now and I must say they are a spectacular species to have. So far mine dine on crickets, freeze dryed blackworms, and flakes, but crickets are there favourite. They mostly stay close to the leaves of plants that meet the water surface except when something moves close to their nose. I highly recommend them to anyone. Reply suckonmelefone 2008-10-27
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Some of the bestest comments - here's the beef!
Sometimes when I put one food item in the tank, like a daddy long leg spider, the butterfly may lose track of it. When they do, they will get agitated and swum back & forth in a "search pattern" until they find it & then pounce. The other thing I have noticed is that while they normally ignore the other fish in the tank, there are two exceptions. First, when a fish accidentally swims between them and the unfortunate bug, they will bully them out of the way. Secondly, when I put a lot of prey in the tank, 10 or 12 small crickets from the pet shop, they will go into a shark like "feeding frenzy" and will chase and snap at smaller fish which make the mistake of being on the surface at the time. Reply Matt O'Sullivan 2006-09-20
I have kept African Butterflies for about 9 years. I had one for 6 before he passed away. Most of the shops in my area stopped carrying them. I found one & my wife brouht another from the same shop on the same day. We keep them in a 50 U.S. gallon community tank. They generally ignore the other fish. They love daddy long leg spiders and moths. We have recently started feeding them crickets from the pet store, react like sharks at the smell of blood. When they see a single prey item, they will slowly stalk until in position & then move very quickly. I have seen them get agressive with each other during feeding time, otherwise they stay at opposite ends of the tank. Be warned, you need a tight fitting lid or you will lose them. Reply Matt 2006-03-28
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Questions - Answers
I have a butterfly fish, and angelfish in the same aquarium...the problem is that I have very hard water with a high ph of 8.2....I've tried liquid peat solution and salts to adjust the water...works only temporarily for short periods of time...not much luck...any suggestions? I have high levels of calcium carbonate and bicarbonate in my well water. Reply KJ 2009-02-20
Replies (1) Try using ro water, @ a ratio of about 50% tap water and 50%ro, then adjust accordingly. Hopefully your levels should stabilize.... jay134
How can u tell the difference between a male and a female african butterfly? Please be specific, thank you. Reply nick 2010-03-05
how about putting prices up.. Reply taylor swope 2009-02-16
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Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
Well done! very good info. Reply Rowan 2008-03-04

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