African Butterfly fish

All our fish, shrimp and corals are bagged with fresh oxygen as well as a heat pack in winter.

When ordering livestock please select the box size and add it to your cart for accurate overnight (1-2 days) shipping costs. A small box can take 1-2 bags and a medium box 6 bags. One bag fits max 10 small (1-3cm) fish or max 2 medium (3-5cm) fish or max 1 large (>5cm) fish.

ONE SPECIES PER BAG. Eg: One bag of 10 neon tetra.

African Butterfly Fish (Pantodon buchholzi)

Description:

• Appearance:

  • Body: Flattened, laterally compressed with a triangular shape.
  • Color: Pale silver to light gray with dark spots or markings.
  • Fins: Large, wing-like pectoral fins that resemble butterfly wings.
  • Size: Typically 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in length.
  • Head: Prominent, with a large mouth and large eyes.

• Behavior:

  • Predatory; known for leaping out of the water to catch insects.
  • Can be solitary or kept in small groups.

Care Requirements:

• Tank Size:

  • Minimum of 30 gallons (114 liters) for a small group; larger tanks are preferable for multiple individuals.

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C).
  • pH: 6.0-7.5.
  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water.
  • Filtration: Efficient filtration is essential; maintain good water quality.

• Tank Setup:

  • Aquascaping: Provide ample open swimming space and include floating plants or decorations for cover.
  • Substrate: A soft substrate like sand or fine gravel.

• Diet:

  • Carnivorous; feed high-quality live or frozen foods like insects, worms, or small fish.
  • Supplement with a varied diet to ensure nutritional balance.

• Behavioral Considerations:

  • Prefers calm tank mates; avoid overly aggressive or very small fish.
  • Not ideal for very small or crowded tanks.

• Tank Maintenance:

  • Regular water changes (20-30% weekly) to keep water quality high.
  • Monitor and maintain water parameters regularly.

• Health Care:

  • Watch for signs of stress or disease, such as changes in behavior, loss of appetite, or visible lesions.
  • Quarantine new arrivals to prevent the spread of disease.