Are pearlscale butterfly fish reef safe?

From what i've read so far,they usually won't mess with noxious softies,which is all the coral i have,are they worth it or should i better not chance it?I have an opertunity for a very cheap one and is still pretty small.But wanted to hear some of your veiws on it.TIA!

 

Not in my experience...i had one that absolutley LOVED softies...killed a colony of zoanthids in like a day...needless to say that fish went back to the store....

 

Thanks Kevin,i'm doing some more reading and seeing a bunch of conflicting info,so far i just have some basic ugly softies,but i still don't want them eaten.Now i have also read that if there keep satisfied with several feedings a day,that they can do fine in a reef.But not sure if i want to chance it.I wish i wouldn't have seen it! Cause he is awesome!

 

It is the luck of the draw! Historically, Butterflies do not make suitable reef candidates due to their specialized feeding on polyps.
However, having said this, I know of a person that has maintained a Long Nose Butterfly in a 125 reef aquarium for over a year with no recognizable problems with her corals.
Personality and proper feeding can make a difference.

 

With my tank only being a 28 gal,i was afraid of having to feed to often and fouling my water,so i passed him up and got a 6 line wrasse instead,which i like equally,not to mention less feedings and far more suited to my size of tank.Thanks everyone.

 

Good choice though they can be boisterous, especially when adding livestock after adding the Six-Line Wrasse to an aquarium. I have heard this from a number of aquarists while working at one of the local pet shops in my area where I live.

 

Actually,he's the last on my 4 fish stock list and pretty passive.There still waiting in my 15 gallon holding tank(just waiting on the cycle to finish on the cube.But i have an oc clown,firefish,blue velvet damsel and now the wrasse,but for being in there temporary tight quarters there all getting along quite well,i have seen no bullying,and they all come running when i lift the lid,cause they know it's dinner time!But i am very satisfied with the colors of these fish and there compatability.I still want butterflies,tangs and triggers,but that'll be at a later time and with a much larger tank.

 

Glad to hear it!

 

Thanks,not a big selection around here,so i usually have to settle with what i can get,so i'm really happy with the line up.

 

You might want to try this butterfly.

Yellow Pyramid Butterfly