Fresh from the sea!!

Hello

My friend is into scuba diving, and he netted a Spotfin Butterfly.
Tropicals are swept up by the gulf stream and found here this time of year.
So I set up a 10 gal tank and put him in. According from what I,ve read they dont stand much of a chance in the home aqarium because of diet.
I put in a piece of live rock from the main tank , and it seems to be eating off of that. Its been a week and he still looks good. If he makes it I was thinking of putting him in the main tank but that would kill the idea of getting coral.
Has anyone kept one of these guys or have any tips?????
Its a nice little fish and I would like to see him make it
Thanks

 

I see a large FOWLR aquarium in your future. How is your credit?

Cool fish.
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department: Spotfin Butterflyfish

I don't think you would do this at all, but stating for the record, if you put a wild fish in an aquarium for a while, do not re-release the fish back in the wild. Something about meds or disease as I recall. I read this a while ago. FWIW.


Good luck!


matt

 

I've had one in my tank now for 9 months. He's been thru a lot and is great. I have lot's of corals and he doesn't bother them at all other than the odd nip at a leather. Eats everything (flake, frozen). I'd keep him. Not all fish of the same family act the same but mine is fine.

 

You must be a fortune teller Matt My buddy got four more today and their dripping and parasite dipping right now, getting ready for the main tank. Should be a nice little school.
Thank you both for your replies;D

 

I wish I were.

Np. Good luck, post pics!

 

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[/URL][/IMG] Got to work on better pics.

 

Cool fish! I thought most butterflies were finicky eaters?
Matt I think there was a problem over here in Florida last year that people were releasing nonindigenous fish in the ocean, such as lionfish.

Heres a website i found Nonindigenous Aquatic Species

 

I know people that have caught spotfins on Long Island in the summer and have had good luck. The Atlantis Aquarium in Riverhead (Atlantis Marine World Aquarium) has several small spotfins in their local species tank along side some kilifish and other species.

I am starting a local species tank as well and am hoping to have a few spotfins this summer to go along with my northern puffer as the "showcase" species. Kilifish and Sheapshead Minnows will fill out the tank.