The Freshwater Butterfly Fish Care Guide

Everything that you need to know about keeping the freshwater butterfly fish, which is also known as the African Butterfly fish ( Pantodon Buccholzi ).
How to care for them, how to feed them, how to house them, how to sex them, and even information on how to breed them. There's also interesting information about their anatomy.

[@periplanetamissionary]

Glad to see this, I hope you continue to keep and work with them. Worth the investment. I love this oddball fish and want to see more people breeding them in captivity. Imports are never assured.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you once again for your support! I love these fish, and there was a time a while ago when my local store was having trouble getting ahold of these fish due to Covid / lockdowns / etc. So, like you said imports are never assured.

[@brj2343]

This is my first time today getting one this fish is so amazing!

[@thechickenwizard8172]

I've thought of getting some of these on multiple occasions before. They're like a prehistoric-looking, mini arrowana. But i then always remember that i have shrimp and tiny fish in all of my tanks

[@nicksweeney5176]

They're like a cool mash-up of Hatchet Fish meets Arowana meets Angelfish.

[@TheDave333]

If you started with a healthy growing shrimp colony and then added the butterfly fish, the shrimp would probably be fine. A few might get eaten at the surface, but my guess is the shrimp would breed faster than the fish could eat them. The tiny fish are a different story. :-)

[@curiousbunny2573]

I just got one a week ago!! I love him so much. He gets the baby roaches I find..

[@TheDave333]

They really are cool fish. . . It's a good place to dispose of the roaches. . .

[@GregorMima]

That´s some top notch filming and editing here, far above another youtubers i watch. Stunning quality. Feels like a good old BBC docu! Cheers man.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much! It's a labor of love. 😁

[@moonpleco5083]

It's unique and fascinating fish. Great you decided to continue filming this unique fantastic fish. Their life function are not typical to most of fish - way of breathing, eyes anatomy . Long pectoral fins really look like those gourami have, playing role of touching sense organ. The mouth pointed up in arowana style may be the far remnants from common ancestor from times when continents are much closer.

[@TheDave333]

Yes, this family of fish originated when the continents were all still together as one landmass (Gondwanaland).

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

It's beautiful to see them skimming across the water!

[@TheDave333]

It really is! I love those fish, and I love it when they hop over the floating driftwood.

[@petecross9470]

Top notch content as usual. And what an extraordinary little fish! It's "wings" even look powdery like a butterfly's. The way they hop over that log is just adorable.

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for watching the video. I agree with your "powdery" wings observation.

[@chag6349]

I’ve recently discovered your channel and I’m amazed. Your one of the only channels to go this much in depth talking about this species. You got me tempted to keep them someday. A fish I want to suggest to you to try out someday is Kryptopterus vitreolus, a type of fish with rarely any good footage on about it involving care, water perm, and BREEDING. Again thank you for an amazing video!

[@TheDave333]

Hello and welcome to my channel! Kryptopterus vitreolus is one of the many fish on my to do list. Breeding them will be very challenging. . .

[@brendonbewersdorf986]

Thank you for covering this fish I had one for close to 5 years was one of my favorite fish to ever own I miss it alot thank you for making this they are underrated fish

[@TheDave333]

They really are a very underrated fish. I'm drawn to the unusual and the strange. . . They were a fun fish to film.

[@brendonbewersdorf986]

@@TheDave333 their hunting behavior is spectacular I loved seeing them hunt the crickets that was always my favorite part about owning one especially because it recognized when I would open the lid so it would get excited for feed time if I could recommend another unusual species have you ever looked at the farlowella stick catfish? I used to have one as well they are fascinating

[@TheDave333]

I love to watch them hunt as well. They do get very excited when I open the lid. At this point, I can almost feed them by hand! I've seen the farlowella catfish in shops, but never owned one. I'll have to add it to my list of future film stars. 😁

[@brendonbewersdorf986]

@@TheDave333 hand feeding would be amazing I never felt comfortable hand feeding mine because she was pretty fast lol I didn't want her to run into my hand and hurt herself haha I would recommend the farlowellas however are a bit sensative to adjust so I've heard but mine never had a problem and he lived for about 6 years they are unique for sure!

[@mink2882]

I learned about the existence of the butterfly fish today! Beautiful footage! I really appreciate your calm narration with no background music, some videos can be really fast and loud.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much for the kind words.

[@tamarrajames3590]

These fish are exquisite, so beautifully formed, and your camera work shows them off to perfection.. it has been a long time since my going to bed viewing has been this wonderful…thank you.🖤🇨🇦

[@TheDave333]

You're very welcome Lady Of The North. . . 😁

[@tamarrajames3590]

@@TheDave333 I must say…I love your name for me.😘🖤🇨🇦

[@TheDave333]

It seems to fit. 😁

[@tamarrajames3590]

@@TheDave333 I will wear it proudly.☺️🖤🇨🇦

[@ajnfire]

Thanks for another Wonder of nature by video. This is a very special fish and its amazing all the information learnt. In this video a lots of entrances in cricket heaven!😄

[@TheDave333]

Yes, many crickets died to help me make this video. They deserve a little section of a video honoring their sacrifice. . . 😄

[@melissaskinner4501]

What a beautiful tank,well down.I have wanted to keep these for awhile now.Just gave me great inspiration,for my next tank.

[@TheDave333]

Go for it! They're amazing fish. Happy to inspire. :-)

[@susyclau7433]

Incredible species, they're beautiful and unique. So much information and as always so perfect close ups, be able to see their eyes, amazing! Great video, I love informative videos, you should make more 👍🏼

[@TheDave333]

More informative videos like this are on the way. I work on them every day. 💗💯

[@susyclau7433]

@@TheDave333 Awesome! There are so many fantastic creatures we can learn about. Good luck 👏🏼

[@TheDave333]

Thank you 😁

[@rickardrocks2160]

nice shots, they look like a cool fun fish :)

[@TheDave333]

Thanks! They really are a very cool fish. Thanks for watching the video. :-)

[@misigardening-tamil8286]

Put more videos regularly About common fresh water fishesh. Teach about monster fishesh ❤. Your videos are so entertaining . And very informative.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you. I like to put a little bit of everything in my videos.

[@adamlittlecousin3223]

Fres like from Yemen 🇾🇪🇾🇪👍👍

[@TheDave333]

Hello Yemen! Thanks for watching the video! 😁

[@MartFishTank]

Your videos are so interesting I have no words. Very entertaining.

[@TheDave333]

Wow, thank you!

[@jpaquarios541]

Very good information video as always. Thanks for you amazing job.

[@TheDave333]

Thanks a lot. I appreciate the love. 💗💯

[@prestonjohn]

Amazing video

[@TheDave333]

Thank you

[@0102rider]

A fantastic and informative video on one of my favourite fish, thank you so much, ive no dought this well help improve my care for them. I would love to see more videos like this from you.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much. I'll make another video on my butterfly fish sometime in the near future. They're such great fish. :-)

[@Brad.Hobbies]

Your work is such a pleasure. Thank you.

[@TheDave333]

You're welcome, I have a lot of fun putting them together!

[@PaulsFishroom]

Thanks Dave for another excellent and informative video. Best I’ve seen from you so that’s saying something. 🤓👍

[@TheDave333]

Wow, thank you Paul. 😁

[@tomneeb5474]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for watching another one. 😁

[@TylarAnon]

This video inspired me to get one of these guys for my congo basin tank. Thanks for the information.

[@TheDave333]

You're very welcome. Congo biotope? Lots of cool fish from that area. Thanks for watching.

[@TylarAnon]

What plants, other than Anubis, would you recommend for a congo biotope?

[@TheDave333]

The only one that I can think of off the top of my head is the African water fern (bolbitis).

[@gkoogz9877]

Amazing footage.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you.

[@quitlife9279]

Great video. For breeding them I would suggest fluctuating water parameters to mimic the rainy season, sudden lower hardness/ph/perhaps temperature, many fish are triggered to breed according to seasons. As for the purpose of the bottom fins i would assume it's because in their natural habitat many predators actually come from below so they need to be constantly vigilant, with their eyes occupied scanning the surface and above they need the extra feeler fins to sense water movement from below alerting them to predators, otherwise they'd be effectively floating flake food for bigger aquatic predators.

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for sharing your ideas about the spawning triggers and the purpose of the bottom fins. Both ideas seem solid. Also, thanks for watching the video and taking the time to leave a comment.

[@markfranklin8831]

Super cool information thanks for sharing ✌️👍💗💯

[@TheDave333]

You're very welcome, and thanks for watching. ️👍

[@AeolusCE07]

So I have 6 in a 30 Gallon Breeder(I know bad but temporary) and they all seem pretty happy with each other I got a really nice picture of them all almost "schooling" together near some of my floating plants. 5 females 1 male soon to be moving to a Larger more spaced out 75 gallon tank ! love them !!!

[@TheDave333]

I guess you love these fish as much as I do. Maybe more . . . Awesome!

[@richardreynolds9896]

Another awesome video! Love your work!

[@TheDave333]

Thank you. I love making them!

[@corydorassterbai8659]

Nice video! They seem really cool to keep. If in my shop they would be buyable maybe i could get some :D

[@TheDave333]

They tend to be a little expensive, and they're not very flashy, so there's a smaller market than for something like guppies.

[@フランスパン-s1q]

Your butterfly fish are kept very beautifully and I respect them. I admire that breeding style. 𝑩𝑰𝑮𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬──────────𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎𝐽𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑛‪🫶🇯🇵

[@TheDave333]

Thank you very much.

[@misigardening-tamil8286]

Your videos are so informative . Pls put more videos about common freshwater aquarium fishes with your style. Thank you. ❤

[@TheDave333]

Thank you, I will 🦐 🐠😁 🦈🐟🦐🦠 ❤

[@martharobins6021]

Just watched your assassin snail video from 5 years ago and am happy you are still making videos. Keep it up. Just liked and subscribed :)

[@TheDave333]

Awesome, thank you! I'm still hard at work. :-)

[@pelhamsaquatics]

Definitely found value Dave! Like# 170🙂👍🏻 very interesting the African butterfly fish! Thanks!

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for watching the video, and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate the love. 😊

[@pelhamsaquatics]

@@TheDave333 you are more than welcome, I really enjoy your presentations 🙂⭐️

[@thedoujinguynico7315]

Love your video's

[@TheDave333]

Thank you

[@susanstaples6171]

I've only seen them at my LFS. Very beautiful.

[@TheDave333]

They are very interesting fish, not seen very often. They can be expensive / $25.00 each. They'll fix your guppy overpopulation problem! 😁

[@susanstaples6171]

@@TheDave333 Guppy overpopulation problem? I only have 5000. What can you mean?😅🤣😆

[@TheDave333]

5000 ? Maybe it's time to get some counseling... 😁

[@susanstaples6171]

@@TheDave333 okay I have 50. 5000 just seemed more impressive!

[@TheDave333]

Yeah, I figured. . . 😊

[@madworld.]

super video , it's always a pleasure to watch :)

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much. I have fun making them.

[@ethancbaker2002]

Hey Dave, are you still making videos of fish? I just wanted to ask because I subscribed and I love your content! I think it’s relaxing and honestly is educational! Thanks for everything you do Dave!

[@TheDave333]

Yes, I still make fish videos, and I don't see myself ever stopping. . . However, due to the high level of detail and quality that I require, I don't upload videos as quickly as the other channels. There will be more, I promise, and thank you so much for subscribing.

[@ethancbaker2002]

@@TheDave333 i understand completely. Take your time no rush!

[@TheDave333]

Thank you!

[@Jack-gh3vs]

I have been keeping a group of 4 ABF since June 21st and I think I have begun to notice signs of breeding. A male and female were spinning around each other lightly nipping, while also moving their pectoral fins together. They went on to lock mouths and continue spinning, at which point they would seemingly rub their bodies together for a brief moment before returning to spinning. I posted a video of it on my KZbin page. Hopefully you’ll be successful in spawning them. I’m not entirely certain that they were trying to breed, but it’s my best guess (I tried to comment similar earlier but it seems my comments didn’t go through, so hopefully I don’t have a bunch of repeats haha)

[@TheDave333]

Hi, I've seen something similar in my own tank, minus the locking mouths. Lots of floating plants will help hide the eggs if they ever do spawn.

[@Jack-gh3vs]

Ever since I learned of this fish it’s become my favorite. I have only had one in the past that I got at a Petco, but he didn’t survive very long despite my best efforts. I’m hoping to get back into keeping them, possibly with petricola catfish. I was wondering how you grow your plants so well with just a sand substrate. Do you use certain fertilizers? Thanks for this incredible video.

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for watching the video. I don't use fertilizers, or special substrates. I use easy to keep plants, and they do just fine on the waste products produced by the fish. Nothing special / I like to keep everything super simple and as natural as I can.

[@vicgonzales9409]

Quality 🔥🔥

[@stoneysscapes7544]

Very Very Wonderful and I have been looking forward to seeing the video ever since we were treated with the floating log and the way you created or maybe serendipity had ? Both I suppose you seem like the kind of person that gets along well with aquatic evolutions and the organic aquascapes that you have shared and I am sure glad you shared this creation!!! Thank you Dave 🌞# LIKE , Share & SUBSCRIBE

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much for watching the video. I love everything about the water and the natural world, so every video is a lot of fun to make. Thanks for subbing. I really appreciate it. 😁

[@susanstaples6171]

Just realized you haven't posted in a while. Hope you're doing well. Always. Enjoy your videos and hope we'll see more

[@TheDave333]

I am fine, thank you so much for asking! I've been really busy with family matters and the like. However, I'm always working on new material. I have a backlog of amazing footage from several different species that I'm slowly putting together. My hillstream loaches have been breeding, so I'm super excited to put out a video about them! I was also contacted / contracted by a major film studio to consult and film some stuff for them, so I've been very busy. More aquarium videos coming soon. Thanks again for asking Susan. Hopefully, you and Dave are well. Tell him The Dave said "Happy Birthday" That was an awesome cake by the way! ❤❤❤

[@susanstaples6171]

So glad to hear. Especially glad to hear you have been tapped to bring your footage and commentary to a wider audience

[@TheDave333]

Thanks me too!

[@revnounar3258]

The fish looks scary. You make the fish look interesting and less scary. 😅 (Still Scarrrryyy, just 10% less scary)

[@TheDave333]

Just remember they're more afraid of you, than you are of them. lol 😊

[@moonpleco5083]

Smaller locust can serve as good snacks for them either. Translucent pectoral fins (wings!) are perfect camouflage when seen from above 🐟

[@TheDave333]

Agreed 100%

[@jonhy8351]

Cool

[@TheDave333]

Thanks

[@bratueduard3741]

Ablolutely interesting fish! Also I` have 3 in a planted tank. They eat various food of floating type for fish.

[@TheDave333]

They really are amazing fish. Thanks for watching.

[@SalamanderFangskin]

I was waiting for this video, especially because as you mention, there is little information about this interesting fish. And you are absolutely right in saying that practical ways to breed this fish in captivity need to be discovered. Thank you so much! 😊 I just have one question. Why do you say you don't recommend using duckweed? - Ramón 🇲🇽

[@TheDave333]

I really don't like duckweed, because it gets everywhere! If I put my hand in the tank, when I pull it out, it's covered in duckweed! It's so small and it sticks to the siphon hose, the nets, my hands. . . Then, it gets spread to every one of my tanks. It's hard to control and hard to get rid of. Biologically it's fine, it's more of a personal thing. 😊

[@SalamanderFangskin]

@@TheDave333 Thank you very much! 😊

[@TheDave333]

My pleasure 😁

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Someday, you should go to the Virginia Living Museum. It's located in Newport News, Va and it has lots of fish.

[@TheDave333]

Maybe I will someday. Thanks for the suggestion.❤

[@heinzkrix9455]

thanks for this awesome video

[@TheDave333]

You're so welcome. The world needed a proper video about these amazing fish!

[@gmull79]

Great vid ty

[@TheDave333]

You're very welcome.

[@drandy.youtubechannel1436]

Really cool 👍

[@TheDave333]

Thanks! 😁

[@wr3add]

Super dope research bro👏🏻👏🏻💯🔥🔥

[@TheDave333]

Thanks! 😁😁😁

[@Z4U3398]

Now, that's dedication. Love it! 👍👍

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much. ♥ ♥ ♥

[@icarlsw34]

You should make a video on how to feed crickets to your fish because I just bought one of these. lol

[@TheDave333]

I keep my extra crickets in a 5 gallon bucket with cardboard egg cartons. I feed them pieces of apple, potato, and fish flakes. Don't allow them to get too wet / humid. Keep a lid on the bucket, so they don't crawl out. Get the smallest crickets that you can find.

[@DWESENTERPRISE]

I had one about 15 years ago... Was pretty cool fish. Had it for a while, till one day... One day when I left the lid open. It thought it was a real butterfly lol. Found it on the floor dry and dead

[@TheDave333]

Do you still keep fish?

[@DWESENTERPRISE]

@@TheDave333 yes, right now we have 2 Fluval Flex 15 tanks. One has 2 Bolivian Rams, 12 Emerald Eye Rasboras, 4 Amano Shrimp and 4 snails. The other is pretty much the same but has 2 Electric Blue Rams and 10 Ember Tetras.

[@joaogilberto3637]

i love your channel

[@TheDave333]

Thank you

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Captain Lepidoptera: Butterflyfish Armada, on my order, set sail! ( They glide away)

[@TheDave333]

Hoist the anchors and raise the sails. Look online for butterfly island. ❤

[@hyunuchun9568]

Sorry that I have another question: Where do they sleep? On the top or on the bottom? I have an interest in keeping them.

[@aw1qp1wa33]

Have you considered looking into culturing brine shrimps? it seems many people are having trouble raising them from egg till the next generation. Much love!

[@TheDave333]

I only hatch the eggs to feed the newly hatched baby brine shrimp to hungry baby fish. Too much work to raise them to adults and then harvest the eggs. I'm not even sure it's possible indoors.

[@tinynina76]

I find them to be beautiful. A fish doesn't have to be in technicolor to be beautiful. 🐟

[@TheDave333]

I agree 100% Beauty comes in many flavors. 🐠🦈🦐 🌻🐝🦠

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

I went to Canada in 2019 and again in 2023.

[@TheDave333]

I've never been to Canada. I'd like to go someday. . .

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

11:24 That's all about craziness! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TheDave333]

❤❤❤ Another fish that loves to eat!

[@melissaskinner4501]

You need to create a food web in the tank.They would do well in a pond.Just an idea

[@TheDave333]

Yes, they would do well in a large pond. . . Birds might be an issue. . .

[@melissaskinner4501]

@@TheDave333 inside pond

[@TheDave333]

I would treat them like Koi, meant to be viewed from above. . .

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

I bet you've never heard of a Sydney spiny crawfish.

[@TheDave333]

I've never heard of them, but I looked them up after your post. Always learning something new from you!

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Cricket: Huh? ( Sees fish approching him) Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!

[@TheDave333]

Now, the cricket understands. . .

[@missdolittle]

Could they be kept with vampire shrimp as bottom feeders? They should be big enough, never go to the top and are peaceful omnivores. I sure learned a lot, thank you for putting all the info out here. I just set up a 30g tank very similar to yours and have at least a month to figure this all out before it has cycled enough. I was thinking getting 3 butterflies and 3 vampire shrimp.

[@TheDave333]

I've never kept those two together before, but I don't see any serious issues with it. One possible problem is that the butterfly fish likes calm water, while the Vampire shrimp needs a good bit of current to help it feed on things suspended in the water column. So, keeping both of them happy might be a challenge. I made a great video on filter-feeding shrimp that you may find helpful... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmrMfnWZrJJgaKM

[@missdolittle]

@@TheDave333 Thank you so much for the feedback! I had vampire shrimp before with just a sponge filter and they were doing just fine. I have tons of neocaridinas but I didn't think of the bamboo shrimp. Are the parameters compatible with the butterfly fish? Have to look that up. Thanks for the tip! Great video too. If you ever wanna do a piece of mudskippers, I have some for 2 years now and am in contact with the world's leading scientists in the field, so I have tons of great info, docs and footage. So many folks go about them all wrong and I am doing my darndest to spread the word, like why sand is bad and mud a must, for example. Here's a visual: kzbin.info/www/bejne/foDci5pjmd2CsJo

[@TheDave333]

Hi! I'd love to keep and film Mudskippers at some point. Thanks for the suggestion! 😀

[@pigzard01]

Almost missed this as it had the same thumbnail as the last video. lol.

[@TheDave333]

Different thumbnail . . . same awesome quality and depth of info. . . 😁

[@pigzard01]

I stand corrected. But both look similar. Awesome fish and I hope you find a way to breed them so we don't have to take from the wild.

[@TheDave333]

The two thumbnails do look similar, so I completely understand. I had to go and look myself, just to make sure. 😁

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Along the Coast of Greenia, an African butterfly fish is on the prowl.

[@TheDave333]

More footage of them feeding coming soon. I hope. It's been a busy year.

[@R3alC0zy1]

I thought they looked like little arowana with nice fins that's what led me to buy a pair

[@TheDave333]

The head does resemble an arowana. Fortunately, they're cheaper and don't get as big. :-)

[@andyle4757]

Hey Dave! I’m just wondering if they would be fine with a male betta and Pygmy corys?

[@TheDave333]

The male betta might become a meal, or if the betta has a mean streak, it might harass the Butterflyfish. Male bettas can be pretty unpredictable. The pygmy cories should be fine though, they would only be in danger when they race to the top of the tank for a quick gulp of air.

[@andyle4757]

@@TheDave333 thanks!

[@TheDave333]

You're very welcome!

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

What are the qualifications for joining the Butterfly Fish Armada?

[@TheDave333]

There's only one, each member must got through a process called eclosion. :-)

[@COOPERSCICHILDS]

Coooool

[@TheDave333]

Thanks!

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Small-spotted catshark/Scyliorhinus canicula

[@TheDave333]

Love the small colorful sharks

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

How has Captain Lepidoptera been doing with the Butterfly Fish Armada?

[@TheDave333]

He's still in control of the fleet, which isn't easy because they like their rum. The all want to be pirates!

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Dave: Here you go, my little butterflyfish. Butterfly fish no.1: Crickets?! Give me one good reason why we should eat these. Dave: Because they have lots of protein, and you'll get stronger. Butterflyfish no.1: ( eats one ) Mmmmm, tasty.

[@TheDave333]

Exactly, the fish should do as I say, not as I do. . .

[@TimeSplitterChimp]

Would two of these be okay in a tank together and also be in a tank with two Dwarf Rainbow snakeheads ?

[@TheDave333]

I wouldn't trust those snakeheads! Beautiful fish though, I wish I could keep them where I live.

[@taewookim98]

Have you ever breed them? I wish to breed them, but regarding their characteristics, I can't imagin how do they breed and where they lay their eggs

[@taewookim98]

Oh I just watched your video part about fertilization

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for watching the video. I try to hit all the bases.

[@ryanwolf7174]

Ty

[@TheDave333]

yw

[@amingus09]

Wasup, love your channel. I have a few questions. Firstly, do you think a pair of these would be fine in a 37 gallon tank with 3-4 pearl gourami's and a couple of live bearers? And if this does work, do you have any tips to ensure compatibility is perfect? My last question is, would halfbeaks and hatchets be good with these? Ive seen mixed reviews because they all three are top dwelling fish. Its nice to see someone respond to their community and we greatly appreciate it. I also wanted to add how great you are on your commentary which allows the listeners to understand everything you say.

[@TheDave333]

@Slaytheday12345 Thanks so much for watching the video and taking the time to leave a comment. . . Putting too many top-dwelling species together can cause problems as they all try to establish territories in the same area. Feeding might also be problematic with everyone going after the same food. The halfbeaks and the livebearers will also be in danger of being eaten by the ABF. The ABF might also go after the hatchet fish. If you definitely need to add top water fish, I'd go with the pearl gouramis. As far as trying to ensure compatibility, the best thing to do is to add the shy / less robust species to the tank first. Let them get established, them add the more outgoing species after. For most fish, a heavily planted tank also helps. And making sure that there's plenty of food for everyone will help limit food-related aggression. . . But the halfbeaks and the gouramis will still eat the baby livebearers, and the ABF will still eat the halfbeaks and the guppies. Consider bottom-dwelling fish like kuhli loaches, they're harmless, they're cool, and they help clean up the food that the top-dwelling fish drop and then ignore. Both the pearl gourami and the ABF are shy creatures. . . All of the species that you mentioned could work together, but you'd need a much larger tank with as much surface area as possible, and lots of floating plants. All of the species that you mentioned put together sounds like too many fish for 37 gallons.

[@amingus09]

@@TheDave333 Thank you so much for replying. I think I am going to go with a pair of African butterfly fish and a two Pearl gouramis. Since I have the killifish and the livebearers already Im willing to take the risk. Finally I think I'm just going to end up getting a school of 6 cories or kuhlis (which would you pick? Could I add anymore fish like a red pencilfish, or would this be the extent of my stocking?

[@TheDave333]

What you can keep in a tank is a complicated question. There's a lot of factors at play like . . . The owner's skill level, type of filtration, water change frequency and amount, feeding schedule/ amount, tank set up, other fish etc. . . There's no one right answer. If you have a tank with a lot of plants, you might not see your kuhli loaches very much. The cories will be more visible and active. However, the cories eat more and poop more, so they add more to the waste build up. The pencilfish might be eaten by the ABF. If you took the ABFs out of the equation, then a lot more choices open up. I would consider pearl gouramis and a school harlequin rasboras, or red pencilfish. There's a big temptation in this hobby to keep changing things around and adding fish, but each time you do there's the potential to create a new problem such as introducing disease, increased aggression, fish being eaten, overstocking etc. My approach is to try and keep things as simple, inexpensive, and trouble-free as possible. So, I stock lightly, use lots of plants, and run sponge filters. Less work = more time to enjoy the fish.

[@amingus09]

@@TheDave333 ty so much! My last question is, where did you get your African butterfly s?

[@TheDave333]

I had a local store order some for me through their vendor. You don't usually see them in those big box stores.

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

What is your favorite thing you like about sea robins?

[@TheDave333]

I love how they look like birds with their giant pectoral fins. Very similar to the butterfly fish.

[@C-Hirsuta]

I hope we can get a captive breeding program going. I want to keep cool fish but I hate creating incentive to damage wild populations.

[@TheDave333]

I agree 100% 👍

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Can I tell you something about chain pickerel? In Wii Fishing Resort, they're called "chain pike".

[@TheDave333]

I did not know that, thanks for the information. Wii fishing resort sounds like fun!

[@nicksweeney5176]

Firrrrst...!!!

[@adamlittlecousin3223]

My Fres 🤫😂 like

[@TheDave333]

Wow! That was fast . . .😁

[@hyunuchun9568]

Hi, I have a question. Can you keep them with crawfish? Like Cherax?

[@TheDave333]

Some crayfish can be very aggressive, so it's a bit of a gamble.

[@Loja_das_Macroalgas]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@TheDave333]

😁😁😁

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

How often do you feed them?

[@TheDave333]

Once or twice per day... carnivore pellets and / or crickets.

[@SerpentVenom25]

I live in CA so nobody ships frog bit or anything ells here, the only thing I have is duckweed ): And where do you order your fish from?

[@revnounar3258]

I order them from etsy and they ship speedily to California. I gave up on aquarium plants too expensive and keep dying on me. I love the planetarium look now. Cheap and plants are thriving. 😅

[@TheDave333]

Bummer, some places are really strict about what you can and can't bring in. Australia is even more strict than California. I buy most of my fish from a local "mom and pop" pet store. They give me good deals, I breed the fish, and then sell them the babies. 😁

[@TitanicHubertisBroken]

Are these ok with angelfish or rope eels? Can the plants on the top be fake?

[@TheDave333]

Yes the plants on top could be fake, but live plants are more more helpful. Angelfish can be aggressive when you have more than one, or they decide to mate. The angelfish might attack the butterfly fish. Rope fish have also been known to attack other fish such as bettas. I'd be very cautious.

[@TitanicHubertisBroken]

Thanks for the tips

[@usbcordand]

I have an African butterfly, a rope, and 2 angels. The only issue has been the angel fish stealing all the food. But no nipping at all.

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Butterfly fish no.1: Butterflyfish Armada, on my order, set sail! ( They all glide away)

[@TheDave333]

Fish with sails love the wind . . .

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Are the crickets outside disturbing you? That's why I said you should feed them to the Butterfly Fish Armada.

[@TheDave333]

Crickets outside are no bother, a cricket inside is a different story. . . I'd become obsessed with finding it!

[@snippidippi]

Just bought this fish and some dwarf clawfrogs. Will they eat my frogs? Seams like the shop fooled me with a aggressive hard maintained fish type?!?!

[@TheDave333]

A Butterfly fish might eat a full size African Dwarf Frog, but a full size African Clawed Frog might eat the butterfly fish! Two very different type of frogs. The butterfly fish are not really aggressive. They just don't' have a problem eating smaller fish or frogs that get too close. Frogs have to surface for air, and that's where the butterfly fish will be waiting. . .

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Any updates on them?

[@TheDave333]

Still being little pigs, no babies.

[@watzegjemedaarnouvan]

I had one it just suddenly was gone it was my favourite fish :(

[@TheDave333]

It's never easy losing one of our fish friends. Could it have jumped out?

[@watzegjemedaarnouvan]

@@TheDave333 Yes and my cat probably eated it while it was on the floor. do you have a vampire shrimp they are very cool.

[@TheDave333]

Vampire shrimp are cool, but I don't have any. 😁

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

​@@TheDave333Never heard of those. . .

[@TheDave333]

Shrimp are a whole other world . . .

[@Gr3ekSalad]

Do you think having Pantadon butterfly fish with leopard Ctenopoma Gourami and corys are fine?

[@TheDave333]

It depends on the setup and the personalities of the fish. The Ctenopoma and the butterfly fish both like to be near the top of the tank, so they might squabble a bit over territory. A small ctenompoma might also become food for a big butterfly fish. A large tank with lots of surface area and floating plants will help keep the peace.

[@Gr3ekSalad]

@@TheDave333 yeah if I see them trying to kill eachother we know someone who can look after one of them. Also om planning on getting the pantadon and gourami near the same time so hopefully that shouldn't be a issue

[@TheDave333]

I love the Leopard Ctenopoma! Such cool fish! They're on my to do list. . . Best of luck. ❤

[@Simplefish7890]

Hi The Dave have you ever kept synodontis nigriventris before?

[@TheDave333]

Yes, I had one in a 72 gallon bowfront tank for a couple years, and I rarely ever saw it! Very cool fish!

[@Simplefish7890]

@@TheDave333 cool! I have 7 of them in my 55 gallon aquarium and they are all around the 2 to 3 inch size range however my angelfish tends to chase them into hiding.

[@TheDave333]

That's so cool that you have 7 of them! I've never seen that many in one tank. I wonder if they'll breed in a home aquarium?

[@Simplefish7890]

@@TheDave333 As for breeding I am not sure if they will breed some are rounder than others and some are more narrow built, I do hope that they breed someday but I have no idea on how to breed those fish.

[@TheDave333]

For many fish, all you have to do is provide them with a good life, and then they just breed without much help.

[@daoluong8215]

hello dave Rest in peace bobby

[@TheDave333]

Hello . . . You remember Bobby, that's nice. He was a special fish. ❤❤❤

[@officialrobertcenox]

as anyone manage to breed them ?

[@TheDave333]

Not that I know of. At least not in an aquarium.

[@pacae911]

Hey guys I have a question 🙋‍♂️ … I want buy 2 assassins snails , but I have 11 amano shrimp …. My question is , the assassin snail can eat shrimps ??? 🤔🤨🧐

[@TheDave333]

The Assassins will be fine to keep with the shrimp. They cannot take down a healthy active shrimp. However, they will attempt to eat any shrimp that is dead or dying.

[@pacae911]

@@TheDave333 oh my god thanks for answering ☺️ … I have 9 amano shrimps and 2 bamboo shrimp , recently I buy some plants and they come with snails 🤢🤮 I want clean my aquarium with this assassin snails now 😐

[@TheDave333]

The assassin snails will definitely help. You can also help them do their job by limiting the amount of food for the "pest snails" and by removing the "pest snails" by hand whenever you see them. You can also attract the snails into a net by using food to attract them. You will be much more successful if you use several different approaches at once. Best of luck. 😊😊😊

[@aeroworkstech]

hey, i have a question, im trying to plan out my first actually big tank, and i my only issue is i have some smaller fish on my list, but they are bottom fish, whats your opinion on it? also can 1 of these go alone in a tank?

[@TheDave333]

Bottom-dwelling fish should be fine, because the butterfly fish don't go after anything that's not right near the surface. Keeping one by itself is also not a problem. Best of luck with your first big tank. It's so much fun setting up a new aquarium.