Pyramid Butterfly - anyone with negative "experience" in reef?

[chrissreef]

Just wondering about any negative experiences with the pyramid butterfly in a lps reef?

Since they're plankton eaters - I'm curious...

Anyone with real experience? Thanks!

[gasman059]

diet mostly of clams so- lps tank may be a big time gamble.
I just gambled with a larvatus and semi in my sps and lost.

[chrissreef]

I thought diet was plankton and they were open water? hmm

here's some vids I found

http://www.oceanfootage.com/stockfootage/Pyramid_Butterfly_Fish

[Victor007]

Reef-safe in my opinion. i have two in my reef tank. bought one and adopt one.
the bought one still alive and eating on pellets and algae only.
didn't touch any corals. :D
very daring fish once it's established.
eating on pellets.hand-fed. greedily. one mouth swallow up to 5or more pellets.

a good fish to keep. relatively peaceful.
cheers.

[jmaneyapanda]

mine have eben spotlessly perfect. eat all prepared food. show no interets in anything else (in terms of food)

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/123758DSC04943JPG_Thumbnail1_1_.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/123758DSC04942JPG_Thumbnail1_1_.jpg

[chrissreef]

Anyone know how to sex them by chance? (since they like to be in pairs)

[snorvich]

jmaneyapanda where did you get yours? they don't bother anything???

[jmaneyapanda]

I dont think you can easily sex them. Furthermore, as far as I know, they form huge groups, so I dont think a true pair is really a common occurance.

Snorvich- I got mine from LiveAquaria. Cost me a little more than at the LFS (which has gotten some recently), but mine are uber healthy (which, sadly, I cant say for the LFS ones). They dont touch a thuing. They will pick at the nori, but otherwise they have done anything (ive had them for like 6 months). To bad, because there is some xenia and anthelia I'd like controlled:D .

[snorvich]

Yeah if you find a control for either let me know. Thanks, I will check with LA.

[snorvich]

Not at LA. Sigh. I have been looking for a group of these for quite a while.

[chrissreef]

I have one now in QT (the other died at the lfs =(

Liveaquaria has a black zosters, I wonder if that would work.hmmm

i'm going to try to get another - bad thing is everyone will be in the tank by the time I find one - including 4 tangs. I wonder if they'd notice a second butterfly or ignore thinking it's the one they already know. hmm

[snorvich]

I don't think the black ones are totally reef safe. LA does have one of those.

[jmaneyapanda]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12739952#post12739952 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
I don't think the black ones are totally reef safe. LA does have one of those.
they are the same as the yellows. I waited for a LONG TIME for mine. You ahve to be ready to jump whne they are available.

Snorvich, I sent a PM.

[sugartooth]

snorvich: I have seen groups at Exotic Aquatics near Elgin(?).
good luck in your search.

[zemuron114]

small ones from Hawaii are pretty rare. Generally they are 6"+. I get a few small ones (2-4") from time to time from a secret source :) but those are few and far between.

they are open water feeders, but a hungry fish WILL nip. Feed heavy.