Freshwater Butterflyfish - in The Aquarium

In The Aquarium

Freshwater Butterflyfish are kept as pets in an aquarium of at least 30 gallons - about 115 liters - although a single specimen should be kept in that size as the only top-level fish, as they can be aggressive to their own kind and others at surface level. The tops of the tanks have to be tightly closed because of their jumping habits. They also prefer a tank with live plants, especially ones that float near the surface, providing hiding places to reduce stress. They require a pH of 6.9-7.1, and a KH of 1-10. In aquaria, Freshwater Butterflyfish can grow to 5 inches. Freshwater Butterflyfish should not be kept with fin-eating or aggressive fish. They eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouths, so they should be maintained with bottom-dwelling fish or top- and mid- dwelling fish too large in size to be bothered by it. They generally will not eat prepared food, and do best on a diet of live or possibly canned crickets and other insects, as well as live, gut-loaded feeder fish (Goldfish should be avoided). They prefer still water, so filtration should not be too powerful.