01st Nov 2009
African Butterfly Fish Profile
The African Butterfly fish (Pantodon Buchholzi) is an interestingly unique fish with wing-like patterned pectoral fins resembling that of a butterfly’s wings, which probably how it earned its common name from. This fish originates from the slow flowing rivers in the tropics of West Africa. It may be odd-looking with its boat-shaped body and rectangular appearance, but the African Butterfly fish is one of the most graceful swimmers you can ever have in your aquarium.
Most shades of African Butterfly fish are drab, grayish green with brownish tinge. Their fins would have an alternate dark and pale- colored rings and they are known to have a dark band running from the top of their crowns through the areas around their eyes extending to their lower jaws. Their seemingly large upturned mouth is designed to capture small prey along the water’s surface as this fish is known to be a predatory surface hunter. It would prey on worms, insects, live spiders, moths, and flies. Small crickets make great prey for them and smaller surface fish will be considered food by the African Butterfly fish.
Although possible, this specie is quite difficult to breed. Peat filtration is required to be able to breed them and a tank with a large surface area as possible is needed since this species are egg-scaterrers. Spawning takes days and the its fry are even more difficult to raise and overly-sensitive to water quality changes. Your African Butterfly fishes has a lifespan of 5 years and with the right conditions, they could live even longer.
These surface dwellers are excellent jumpers and can actually glide short distances. If you are keeping an African Butterfly fish, having a tight-fitting cover for your tank is advised to prevent them from injuring themselves as they constantly jump out of the surface of the water. The tank set up for this species should have slow water movements to resemble its natural environment. With the right adjustments, water movements in your tank can be kept to a minimum to work best for your African Butterfly fishes and since these fishes will do best in slightly soft acidic water, it should be considered in maintaining your tank.
Relatively peaceful in the absence of smaller fishes, the African Butterfly fish can be great community fishes, and would be an interesting addition to your aquarium. It is a fascinating fish, and a very good recommendation to anyone who has a freshwater tank.
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