African Butterflyfish

This African Butterfly is a hardy fish and can handle a wide range of temperatures, up to the mid 80’s. With an aquarium of at least 30 gallons, you can create a great home for this fish with plenty of plants that reach near the surface for the fish to use for cover. As these fish can jump out of the water and even glide short distances, it is essential to have a tight fitting top on the aquarium to secure the safety of the fish. Additionally, regular maintenance of the aquarium is important to ensure the fish’s health and wellbeing. When properly cared for, the African Butterfly can live up to ten years in captivity.

In order to establish a successful breeding environment for the African Butterfly, it is important to lower the water in the aquarium for a few weeks and then use soft acidic water when refilling. The male will climb on top of the female at the water’s surface, and after about a day, the eggs will turn dark and float to the surface. To ensure the eggs have the best chance of hatching, they should be removed to an aquarium with similar water conditions. Once the eggs hatch in two days, the fry will demand the smallest live foods such as baby brine shrimp and daphnia. Proper care must be taken to ensure the fry do not become malnourished or suffer from overcrowding. Additionally, the aquarium must be regularly monitored to ensure the water is clean and the pH is balanced.

This will help the African Butterfly thrive and increase in size.