Auriga Butterfly Compatibility
5/10/08
I just recently put a 60g tank up. Right now the only thing in there are 5
hermit crabs, 1 emrald crab, a little blue green chormis (mostly to help
with cycling the tank), I just put two of my inverts from a previous tank in
after the 60g had been cycled for a month, they are a long spin urchin and a
chocolate ship star. They both seem to be doing well. My plan is to place
one more invert (from yet another established tank) in, and that is a bubble
tip anemone, with a maroon clown. Can I place an auriga in if the bubble tip
has a maroon to defend it? I know I would have to place the maroon in last
due to territorial issues, so I would place the anemone in last as well.
Also I would like to add one more fish to the mix at some point and that
would be a volitan. Will they butterfly, volitan and auriga play nice?
<Just like humans, fish are individuals. However, as a general rule, these
should get along. Make sure the Butterfly is eating well before purchasing
it.>
Could a small volitan fit a medium sized maroon in its mouth?
<yes>
Also given the nature of the maroons disposition, would the volitan even try
to eat it?
<not likely if kept well fed>
I have about 50 lbs of live rock in the tank with a lot of places to hide. I
am running a very powerful canister filter which currently only had light
carbon and light chemical filtration due to the lack of bio load currently
in the lank, as well as a skimmer. I also have a quarantine tank that all my
new animals go into, to minimize new disease to the tank. I just am
concerned with those three fish being good, not only to themselves but to
the inverts as well. Thanks for your help you all have been very helpful.
<You are more than welcome Spencer>
<<Thanks Curt -Sara M.>>
Chaetodon Auriga
compatibility 01/13/2008
To wet web media crew.
<<Hello, Andrew here>>
I would like to know what fish would get along with a threadfin Butterflyfish
and two Ocellaris clowns. what colorful little fish would get along in a medium
sized tank. thanks in advance, Eddie.
<<These are a peaceful fish, so, any other peaceful fish which are suitable for
your aquarium size>>
<<Thanks for the question, A Nixon>>
Threadfin Butterfly/Disease
12/21/07
Hi
<Hello>
I have and 85 gallon salt water tank with protein skimmer and mega filter.
Currently have a Scooter Blenny, a Cleaner Wrasse, a Tomato
Clown and a little Hawaiian Wrasse. Water levels test out all good and yesterday
after having my LFS also test I purchased a Threadfin
Butterfly.
He was fine for the first 24 hours. This morning he was covered in white spots,
doesn't seem lethargic but obviously something is wrong. I turned off the
regular lights and left on the purple light.
<Ahh, no quarantine, now what? The butterfly should be given a freshwater dip
first as they do respond well to this treatment. More than likely the fish has
Cryptocaryon or ich. Do read the links below.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubWebIndex/fishdisho.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichart2mar.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/QuarMarFishes.htm
James (Salty Dog)>
Help
Thanks
Jim
Dead Auriga, no useful info.
11/6/07
hey guys
<Hey guys?>
I have a few questions that are dying to get an answer. I had been having
trouble to keep my auriga to stay alive for some reason, so far I have 7 that
died in the period of less than a year.
<Yikes!>
I purchase them from my LFS and for the first week, they seem to be fine,
however, I would get back from work one day and they would lie on the bottom of
my tank. I have a CPR skimmer, UV sterilizer, powerjet, 55 gal tank, 55 lb live
rock, 50 live sand. I set up a moonlight so that I the auriga wouldn't stress
too much, but I could never able to keep them from dying. sometimes when they
die they became white and other time they are dark.
Tin Sheen
<How large were these specimens? Did you see them eat at the dealers? What re
your water quality, what else lives there? Did the Thread-fins have their mouths
open when you found them dead? There are a few possibilities here. One, your
system is really too small for this species... Bob Fenner>
Re: Dead Aurigas, no useful
info., NNS 11/07/07
they were graded as small at the LFS, they ate at the dealer, the swam great
at their tank, I got them home, the ate fine for so long till the day they died.
nitrate were sitting at around 15, ph 8 temp 77. I have 2 clowns 1 Valentini,
some hermit, 1 star fish, 5 snails. the mouth was open on all of them. took it
back to the LFS the said that he might have gotten infected since his stomach
have a little scratch, but what about the other that died? of course I only have
1 or 2 at most in the tank.
Tin
<Nothing you've stated "jumps out" as a probable cause of repeated death... and
the other life you list is fine I take it... I would try another supplier or
species... Not Butterflyfishes as I've stated, this system is too small for
Chaetodontids. BobF>
Auriga Butterflyfish, sys.,
comp. 10/26/07
Hi,
<Hello, Scott V. here.>
I have a 4x2x2 tank cycling at the moment with a very small amount of diy live
rock. Filtration includes a canister filter, large internal filter, and I will
soon be purchasing a hang on protein skimmer of sorts. My aim is for the
aquarium to be a fish only tank; I'm more interested in the fish than in the
corals.
<Love that size tank! A good skimmer cannot be overrated for its ability to help
maintain your system. The canister/internal filters can be used, but be aware
they require frequent maintenance (cleaning). With DIY rock/external filters be
sure to “seed” with pieces of true live rock (and even possibly sand from an
existing system) and stock at a slow pace to allow your biological filtration to
keep up. >
The fish I want to base the aquarium around is a Threadfin Butterflyfish. I
would love to have a tank full of them, and can't find answers anywhere on
keeping them in a group. I'd love to have a group of Threadfins and nothing else
in the tank. If this isn't possible, should I keep one or two Threadfins in the
tank?
<I would not put more than one in a tank. They do well in established tanks with
good water quality. Good info about this fish on selection, care, water quality,
etc. on the site. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/auriga.htm >
I am worried that if they are a social fish in the wild and I go and put them
alone in my tank they won't be as happy!
Thanks in advance for your response, I'm awaiting it eagerly!
Regards,
Alex.
<No worries Alex. You will have other fish in your tank to keep it company. It’s
great you have picked out the main fish you’re interested in, now you can stock
the tank around that fish according to its needs. Best of luck to you, thank you
Scott V.>
Auriga Scratching 9/27/07
Hello Bob & Co,
I come to you guys more often than I take my kids to the doctor!!
My Auriga which is the only fish in my 60gal/60lbs/skimmer/FBD tank is
scratching a lot and shaking her face. She tries to scratch around the area
behind her eyes. No sign of white spots and she eats very well. I have a cleaner
shrimp in the tank as well. I have a 10 gal QT tank. What should I do?
1. Dip/Bath and then to QT?
2. Lower SG of QT and then let him sit there for a while?
3.Copper etc?
4. Other?
As always, thank you for all your help.
-Gans
<4... just observe for now. Bob Fenner>
Re: Auriga Scratching 9/30/07
Hi Bob,
He was still scratching as of yesterday. Today he is acting very lethargic. Just
hanging out in one place or the other without swimming much. Not his usual self
for sure. Still takes food and eats it all. No spots or anything else in the
body that I can see. Should I still stay put and observe?
Thanks!
Ganz
<Yes. RMF>
Re: Auriga Scratching 10/1/07
He didn't make it Bob! Found him dead this morning.
I am 2 1/2 months into this hobby and am off to a rough start.
Killed 2 Henis by having them in a 10 gal qt tank, now the Auriga . Pretty
depressing! Not sure if I should continue. If I do, should I wait a month before
I add anything to the tank?
<A good idea, yes>
I just have snails, crabs and a shrimp in there.
Thanks for all your help!
Cheers
Gans
<Convert, re-direct the energy, feeling into progressive activity... READ before
buying... BobF>
Newly Acquired Auriga Butterfly Won’t Eat
– 09/22/07
Greetings,
<<Hello>>
I have a 120 gallon, 100 pound live rock, Fish Only tank that was seeded from LR
and sand from my former 55 gallon tank (upgraded).
<<Neat>>
I added a Euro-Reef RS135 PS and a Turbo Twist UV filter to the new setup. My
new tank has been setup for a month now with no mentionable problems with NH4,
NO3, and NO2 (PH is 8.3).
<<Mentionable? If these readings are not zero…you have problems if you are
introducing fish>>
I purchased the first fish for the system, an Auriga Butterfly a couple of days
ago (4 days ago).
<<After only a month the system is still quite new/raw, seeded or not>>
I can't seem to figure out what to feed the critter, as he does not have any
interest in the flake or frozen food I offer. I have tried Clams, Shrimp, Flake,
Squid and clip-on algae.
<<I suggest you try some smaller frozen fare like Glass Worms and Mysis
Shrimp…and try adding a vitamin enhancement product to this like Selcon as it
also seems to stimulate the fish’s interest. You can also try “fresh” Mussels or
Clams (served in the shell) from the supermarket>>
In fact he stays in hiding most of the time in the same spot in the tank.
<<Mmm, this may be a result of its “newness to the system”…or a result of the
“newness of the system”>>
When he does venture out, I find him grazing on the LR and once on the glass
(could be eating Aiptasia).
<<Possibly>>
I have heard that this Butterfly is hardy, however, I fear the worst if mine
does not eat soon.
<<This species is quite appropriate for captive care…though there’s the odd
chance you have purchased a specimen that has been damaged during
collection/transport. It’s not all that unusual for newly acquired fishes to
take a while to acclimate/begin feeding. If the newness of the system is not
malaffecting the fish (do check those water parameters again as things may have
changed with the addition of the fish to this young system), then give my
feeding suggestions a try, to include adding a few “new” pieces of live rock for
the fish to browse upon until it acclimates to the prepared foods>>
I also have halted purchasing further fish until I feel comfortable with my
current situation.
<<Wise>>
Any suggestions?
<<As stated>>
Best Regards,
Scott B.
<<Good luck with your Butterfly. EricR>>
Re: Newly Acquired Auriga Butterfly Won’t
Eat - 09/24/07
EricR,
<<Scott>>
Thank you for your advice.
<<My pleasure>>
I immediately purchased the Selcon additive and added it to frozen brine shrimp.
<<And…?>>
He became more interested and today pursued and ate the offering.
<<Excellent…but do get the fish switched over to something nutritious soon, like
the Mysis Shrimp and Glass Worms mentioned in our previous exchange>>
I continue to look into my water parameters and nothing has spiked. NH4 reads 0,
NO2 and NO3 read zero.
<<Very good>>
I will continue to hold off on more fish.
<<Is best for now>>
However, since I have your attention I have one more question.
<<Okay>>
Long term with this Butterfly fish which species makes sense to introduce next:
Trigger, Angel (love the Regal, but my LFS says absolutely NO), Puffer,
Hawkfish, Wrasse, Tang (love the Powder Blue but hear it is hard to keep).
Suggestions?
<<Hmm, were this me…maybe a Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres ornatissimus or
another Halichoeres species…assuming a suitably deep and fine substrate is
available), a Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus), a Gold-Rimmed Tang
(Acanthurus japonicus…and not to be confused with the much less aquarium hardy
Acanthurus nigricans), and finally, a Picasso Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus
aculeatus, or one of the other Rhinecanthus species)…introduced in the order
listed…and leaving the Angel and the Puffer to a larger system elsewhere>>
Thank you again for your continued advice,
Scott B.
<<Happy to share. Eric Russell>>
Bump on my Auriga 9/6/07
Hello WWM Crew!
My tank is 7wks old and water params are all ok. It's a
60gal/skimmer/FBD/LRock system.
I have an Auriga for about 9 days in the tank now. She's eating
everything and doing great but I see a small bump with some white icing
like thing on top of the bump, in the area where her tail joins the
body. I have attached a couple of pics but they are not that clear.
<I see this>
She gets in and out of the live rock a lot.
She is showing no signs of illness at all but the bump is
noticeable. Not sure what to make out of it doc? The water temp has been
in the 83-85 range for the last week as its been hot in SD. But the temp
has finally come down.
Cheers
Gans
<The water is a bit warm... and this volume is marginal... Does look to
me like a sore, perhaps bacterially involved... resulting from a
trauma... likely during capture, handling... I would look into
antibiotic laden foods if this fish will accept them. Perhaps Thera A.
Bob Fenner>Re: Bump on my Auriga 9/7/07
Hi Bob!
Thank you for the quick response. I looked around for Thera-A with antibiotics
but they all say they are non-medicated. I am unable to find a medicated version
of it with anti-biotics.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_searchItem.aspx?IdCategory=&SearchText=thera%20a
<Sorry re... I would add the antibiotic to this Spectrum product...>
Do you want me to try just the Anti-Parasitic Formula?
<No my friend... I would just add... per this sort of protocol:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/holedispd.htm
Cheers
Gans
<And to you. BobF, who just got off the phone with friend/manufacturer Pablo
Tepoot... we're all hauling out tog. for the CIPshow in Nov... and he mentioned
that Thera only has garlic...>
Re: Bump on my Auriga – 09/14/07
Bob,
You are a fish genius! The spot fell off as you said.
Thanks!
Gans
<Ah, good. Thank you for the update Gans. BobF>
|
|

Re:
Bump on my Auriga 9/12/07
Hi Bob& Co,
Good evening to you all!
<And to you Gans>
The bump on my Auriga has healed completely. I did not feed any
anti-biotic. However there is a white thing latched to her tail
and a smaller white thing on the top of her fin for the past 4
days. Pic attached. The fish itself is acting very normal and
eats everything.
I am confused if its Ich or something else? Its the only fish in
the tank. Do I pull her into QT and start treatment or just wait
and see.
Thanks
Gans
<Is very likely simply "residual" material... that can/will fall
off... Do you have plans to introduce a purposeful cleaner
organism? Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clnrfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. BobF> |
|
 |
|
Auriga B/F changing stripes/colors at night 5/7/07
Hello All,
<Hello Peter, Mich here.>
I am fairly new to this hobby, but have certainly gained a quick passion for my
saltwater fish.
<Welcome to the briny world!>
I have searched your site to exhaustion to answer my following question to no
avail. I have an auriga b/f whose stripes seem to thicken at night.
<Yes, many fish change colors at night. I have been lucky enough to witness
this phenomenon first-hand on the reef. This nocturnal coloring allows the fish
to blend in to the reef and helps the fish avoid predation.>
More specifically, the rear of her body seems to darken in the evening and
sometimes she seems to be turning black. Each morning though she seems to have
returned to her original stripe thickness and color.
<This sounds like normal behavior to me.>
I have been watching her intently for a while and she does flash occasionally
and seems to have some small dark scrapes on her right "cheek". Sorry no
picture, but any idea what this may be?
<The scrapes, possibly a physical injury of some sort. Not likely anything to
be concerned about.>
Thanks in advance for your help.
<Happy to help! Mich>
Peter
Threadfin BF - Bubble tip Anemone advice 01-10-06
Hi folks!
<Peter>
Thanks for all of your time and efforts in this noble cause.
<Always glad to help.>
I'm writing for some advice. I currently have a 75gal bowfront mixed reef
tank with 30gal sump. It's been up and running and successful now for
almost 2 years. I recently decided to venture into the mini-reef club so
purchased a small 16 gal with 10gal sump. In my larger tank, I have: 1 10in
or so bubble tip anemone with a maroon clown symb., a flame angel, a small
clam, some yellow button polyps, and some green star polyps. After doing
some research on stocking this small tank, I have decided I would like to
get a threadfin for the larger tank. Ideally, I would like to move all of
the inverts, except the anemone, to the small tank and maybe add a single
royal Gramma for color. QUESTION: What would you say the success rate
would be for keeping the bubble tip and a threadfin butterfly in the 75gal
tank? <50-50> Is the butterfly likely to feast on the anemone? <It is completely
a fish by fish basis.> I've read good
things about these fish but am not willing to sacrifice the anemone. Is
there a good chance of success? <Your chances would be better if you forgot
about the threadfin.> Also, do you think the Gramma choice is a
good one for the small tank or would you suggest another species that would
be better suited for such small confinement? <The Gramma would be fine or you
could go with one of the smaller blennies.> And finally, I'm thinking
about using just a 30W Coralife PC 50/50 fixture. Would the above mentioned
inverts (clam) be ok in such a small tank with this amount of light or should I
get something a little more powerful - and if so, what do you
suggest for a 20" wide tank? <You will definately need more light for the clam.
The polyps may be fine, as long as this is a fairly shallow tank.>
Thanks again for all of your continued help. It truly has been priceless. Warm
regards, Peter <Happy reefing, Travis>
Threadfin/disease 10/12/05
Hey guys. Can you tell me what to treat my threadfin b/f with, if after two
weeks there is no visual signs (white spots) of a parasite and he's constantly twitching and scratching off rocks?
<Doesn't necessarily mean the fish doesn't have it just cause you can't see it.>
I don't want to use copper because of how strong it is. What meds should I use to treat for just "bugs" I guess you
could say? Not sure of what else it could be if there are no spots. Water quality is great and plenty of oxygen along with all other parameters being right
on point.
<Copper is by far the most effective treatment. As long as you use a test kit to insure a safe and effective dose (0.015-0.020), you shouldn't have a problem using it. A test should be done on a daily basis during treatment, which should last a minimum of 21 days @ 80 degrees. James (Salty Dog)>
<<Please read on WWM re copper and test kit use. What has been stated here is
too scant to be of use. RMF>>
Auriga Butterfly compatibility 6/29/05
hey,
<Howdy!>
I was actually wondering if the auriga butterfly would harm or eat the pencil
urchin or skunk shrimp. Sorry for the mix-up.
mike
<No worries... the urchin is very safe, the shrimp likely so. Anthony>
Auriga "Threadfin" butterflyfish compatibility? 6/18/05
One quick question...Will an Auriga Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga) be
compatible with cleaner shrimp and a pencil urchin? I saw on several sites
that this fish "can, but with caution" be kept with inverts. Thanks a bunch!
mike
<This fish is far and away one of the hardiest and most suitable butterflies
for aquarium life. They will be safe with urchins and most other inverts.
Shrimp may be at risk here... but no more than they already are from other
common/popular reef fishes like tangs. A small risk indeed. Anthony>
Threadfin butterfly fish
Greetings. Thanks for all the help and advice that the crew gives. I
have a 55 gallon marine tank with 60 lbs. of live rock and about 2" of
crushed coral substrate. The tank is about 7 months old and the only
fish that I have added so far are a pair of Percula clown fish which
were added about 2 weeks ago. I have lots of invertebrates incl. snails,
small blue hermits, brittle and serpent starfish, a few different crabs,
cleaner shrimp, and mushroom corals. I also have a fairly large bubble
anemone that is home to the clownfish. My first question is I would like
to add a threadfin BF to my set-up. A fellow marine tank friend had one
and it killed his pink tipped anemone. It started by blowing on the
anemone to steal it's food. Eventually it started to bite the tentacles
of the pink tip. The pink tip ended up moving for shelter and eventually
perished. Does this sound common for this type of BF fish?
<Can happen with Chaetodon auriga, other Butterflyfish species>
I am a little
concerned with this type of BF and my anemone.
<Not likely with your clownfish guarding it... but a 55 gallon system is really
too small to house a Threadfin for very long>
My second question is
after the BF addition I would like to finish the stocking of my tank as
follows: one hippo tang, and either a flame or coral beauty angel, would
this work size wise and community wise?
<These are good choices, but... your system is really too small for any of these
additions period. In fact, if it were twice the size, I would encourage you to
stop at adding just one or two of these fishes>
which order would be best?
<Either the tang or ONE of the dwarf angels in any order IF the system were
larger>
Thanks again for any comments you may have.
Dean
<Thank you for your query, concern. Bob Fenner>
- Twitching Fish -
Hi. <Hello, JasonC here...>
I was in my marine fish store today and they had a beautiful threadfin butterfly
fish. <Neat.> I was tempted to buy him (he would be my first butterfly)
but upon watching him I noticed that every few seconds his head or ventral fins
would twitch. Physically he looked fine, fins intact, color vivid, no
red, blotchy, or otherwise strange looking areas. What would cause
this behavior? <Hard to say for certain, but my guess [as I've seen my fish
do this too] is that is like a big stretch... like when you wake up in the
morning.> I assume I was prudent in not purchasing him. <I don't think it
means anything is wrong with the fish.> Had I not studied carefully I
wouldn't have seen the odd motions. Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated.
<If you are uncertain, perhaps put a deposit on the fish and let it stay at
the store another week or two, but I wouldn't be concerned.>
Thanks, Patrick
<Cheers, J -- >
Chaetodon auriga & Magazine Abbreviations
Hi,
I am doing a research paper for one of my classes here in Hawaii, and I saw your
web page has some good information on the CHAETODON AURIGA. I am able to use one
web page as a source, but the rest need to be books and journals. In your
Bibliography, I saw you used a few books and then a bunch of TFH stuff. I was
wondering if you could please email me and tell me exactly what those sources
are? I am really desperate to find information and I don't have much time.
Whatever you can tell me would be great.
Thank you very much for your time. Adriana Eskinasy
<TFH is an abbreviation for Tropical Fish Hobbyist, which is a monthly
magazine. Other abbreviations are FAMA-Fish water And Marine Aquarium magazine
and AFM-Aquarium Fish Magazine. -Steven Pro (one of the WWM crew)
Chaetodon auriga II
Hi,
Thanks for the reply!!! I think I made a mistake in my email, I was wanting to
know if you could tell me the exact dates and or issues of the magazines or
books that you used for the web page on the "Chaetodon auriga." I need
to get the source myself so I can use it for my paper. If you are able to do so
that would be great!!
<They are all listed in the bibliography at the bottom of the webpage,
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/auriga.htm The books have the corresponding page
numbers and the magazines have the dates. -Steven Pro>
Thanks again, Adriana
Threadfin Butterfly
Hi Bob - I was wondering if you could comment on the suitability of a
threadfin (auriga) butterfly fish for my tank (my girlfriend has decided she
likes it)...?
<I don't know her>
I have 48" 55 gallon f/o tank with a Percula clownfish,
hepatus tang, six-line wrasse, and a neon goby. The wrasse has been in
about 4 months, the others 8-12. I have read various minimum tank size
recommendations ranging from 55-80 gallons.
<This is so>
If the threadfin is ok, does
that pretty much reach the stocking limit? I am also considering a flame
angel and/or a second clownfish as alternatives.
<Please read, starting here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/auriga.htm re this species, and the FAQs beyond. Bob Fenner>
Thanks - Keith
Bully Butterflyfish
Hi Bob!
<Hi Greg, Lorenzo Gonzalez responding for Bob, who's still in Asia.>
I am pretty new to the hobby of saltwater fish, but I just love it. My
problem is, as I see a common one from reading all the FAQs at your
website. Basically it is misleading info given to me at my LFS, or more
like one of two that I have in my area to rely on. I have basically two
problems; (1) this one I have already solved on my own thanks to your
great website!! (if only I had found it 1 week earlier, as I only found
it 3 days ago. The problem was what is a good efficient cleaner for the
fish in my tank. My mistake was buying three cleaner wrasses, only to
read your article on them , along with talking to someone at the other
LFS I have access to( who by the way , takes your point of view on them
exactly), the problem now is my tank is a fish-only tank, 120 gal., with
lots of coral, (none living, just decorative, fake, and real that was
acquired over 15 years ago knowing 1 day, I would eventually start my
tank. I mention this because I am well aware of the environmental
concerns that exist now, and agree with it wholeheartedly.) and LR. To
get them out of the tank would take an enormous amount of destroying
the setup, and stressing out the other fish at the same time, which I
don't really want to do! Do I just let them perish, and hope for the
best, or do I Tear down my tank, and hope not to do anymore stressful
damage to the rest of the inhabitants, the reason I ask this is because,
I can't remember if I read it on your site, or somewhere else, that they
may themselves stress out some of the other inhabitants by their
constant attempts at cleaning the fish. This in turn could lead to other
stress related problems with the other fish.
<Yes, all you say above is potentially a problem. However, your cleaners, if you take them out, will just end up in somebody
else's tank, where they might well be worse off. Many folks find that their cleaners will eat the frozen gumbos offered the other fish, and they survive fine that way. 3 cleaner wrasse to a tank is rather outrageous, though, as they aren't exactly 'schoolers', to bit it mildly. If you can catch at least one of two of them, that'd be great. I
they get accustomed to a net sitting in the tank for a couple days, you may be able to scoop one or two up at feeding time?>
(2) My other question is, I
think, a bit unusual. I have in my community tank, an Auriga Butterfly,
about mid-sized, the kind that has the black spot on it's top fin. ( I
know 2 types exist depending on where they came from). The problem is he
is a real bully, and rough with a lot of my cleaner crew. So far he has
attacked, and chewed off the antennas on my mid-sized coral banded
shrimp, about 1 day after he molted. The shrimp had plenty of hiding
space, but somehow the butterfly still got at him. Then he attacked, and
finished off 2 of 3 small snails I purchased together. Then attacked,
and killed a cleaner shrimp that I purchased within 1 day, and now I
have big turbo snails, and I mean on the big side for a turbo snail, and
he is going after those guys, and actually pulling these guys right off
of the glass, when he nips at their shell, or tries to get underneath
the shell at the actual shell. Now everyone seems surprised because
while they are supposed to eat soft corals, and such, the fact that he
is attacking, to the point of killing all my cleaner crew, has got me to
not like him very much anymore, because I know of the big importance of
all my little cleaner guys. Is he doing this because he is maybe not
getting enough food, or is he just an Auriga Butterfly with a very big
attitude that will just keep being trouble!!! Please help, especially
with my second question. I thank you greatly in advance, and hope to hear
from you soon! Keep up the great work with your very informative website
that I know regard as the best one out there!!!
<That IS certainly unusual, as others have already opined. But fish, and especially the big smart ones, definitely develop 'personalities'. If you don't get along with that Auriga, sell if back! Regards, Lorenzo>
Greg.
Help - auriga butterfly scratching
Your book encouraged me to try a auriga butterflyfish for the first time.
I've got this Threadfin Butterflyfish for about 3 weeks. She is in a 55g
tank by herself now, the tank has been up for 9 months. She was in the
store
for 3 weeks before I brought her home. In the first 2 weeks there were no
signs of scratching, but she started scratching 2 days ago. The scratching
is not too bad, I've €™ve seen only a few times every evening. There is no
physical evidence of ich or anything that I can see.
I know the LFS keeps a low dosage of copper in all their tanks to keep
parasites in check. But the fish didn't€™t show any sign in the first 2 weeks
I got her. Should I be alarmed and do anything right now?
<What? No mention of even a freshwater dip/bath? Do not trust anyone to quarantine, treat new livestock... For all the time the fish was at the dealer's it was likely continuously exposed to pathogens... and they can be/are transferred just in the water livestock is moved in...>
I just hope this
time I don't wait till I've too late. Do Butterflyfishes get ich, or is it always Marine Velvet?
<Definitely both... Read over the butterflyfishes, disease, quarantine, dip sections posted on the www.wetwebmedia.com site>
For the first 2 weeks the fish only ate live blackworms. She just started
eating raw shrimp 3 days ago. With a more varied diet, could I hope (is it
likely) that her immune system gets stronger and kick whatever parasite by herself? Or is that just wishful thinking?
<Both>
Please help me decide the right course of action. It's been so hard to get
any specimen that would eat so well, it'd be a real shame if I loose her by my fault.
<Others are ancillary... collectors, middle-people, the dealer... all have to do their part in a chain of supply... But/and these are tough fish... should rally if specimen isn't too impugned, system is optimized... I'd read over sections on biological cleaners and environmental manipulation as well on the WWM site>
Thanks.
<And thank you for caring, writing. Bob Fenner>