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African Butterflyfish

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Pantodon buchholzi

Complete African Butterflyfish care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Advanced.

African Butterflyfish

Quick Answer

African Butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi) is a unique surface-dwelling fish from West Africa. It requires a minimum 30 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 24-28°C. As a carnivore with semi-aggressive tendencies, careful tankmate selection is essential.

Intro

African Butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi) is a unique surface-dwelling fish from West Africa. Its large pectoral fins resemble butterfly wings, and it can jump or glide to escape predators.

Setup

A 30-gallon or larger tank with a very tight lid (no gaps). Floating plants are essential to provide cover. Low water level (reduce jump height) and gentle filtration.

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Feeding

Carnivorous; eats only live insects and small fish placed on the water surface: crickets, flies, mealworms, small feeder guppies. Will not eat dry foods.

Compatibility

Semi-aggressive predator. Can be kept singly or in pairs if tank is large. Tankmates must be large enough not to be eaten: medium cichlids, catfish, ropefish.

Tank Position
Top
Water Temp
24-28°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Cichlid Care Guide: Tank Size & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Bala Shark Care Guide: Tank Size & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Clown Loach Care Guide: Substrate & Diet semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many African Butterflyfish can be safely housed together?
Maintain strictly as a single individual or a verified male-female bonded pair. African Butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi) are surface-dwelling predators that claim a two-dimensional territory on the water's surface layer. In systems under 40 gallons (150 liters) or with a surface area less than 36x12 inches (90x30 cm), multiple males engage in violent jaw-locking battles over territory, resulting in severe physical injuries and secondary tail rot. To stock a balanced community, select bottom-dwelling or midwater species like Kuhli Loaches or Congo Tetras; top-skimming surface livebearers or Hatchetfish must be completely avoided.
What are the exact TDS, conductivity, and pH limits for African Butterflyfish?
Target an optimal pH range of 6.5 - 7.0, an Electrical Conductivity of 150 - 300 μS/cm, an overall Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level of 80 - 150 ppm, General Hardness of 2 - 6 dGH, and Carbonate Hardness below 4 dKH. While domestic individuals tolerate up to 7.5 pH, wild-caught imports require soft, acidic water filtered through peat moss or humic botanicals to mimic West African floodplains. High carbonate hardness (kH over 5 dKH) actively inhibits their natural mucus coat production, increasing vulnerability to opportunistic columnaris infections. Maintain temperatures of 77°F - 82°F (25°C - 28°C).
What is the specialized dietary protocol for an African Butterflyfish?
They are strict surface insectivores (obligate carnivores) that experience nutritional stunting and gradual starvation on standard sinking pellets or dry flakes. Their upward-directed eyes and wide mouth are evolutionary tools designed to snap at prey falling onto the surface tension line. Their diet must be 90% insect-based: live or frozen wingless fruit flies (Drosophila), small crickets, gut-loaded mealworms, and floating freeze-dried bloodworms. Feed small portions twice daily; any food item that sinks past the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water is permanently ignored. Avoid copper-based medications, as they are highly sensitive; use praziquantel for internal parasites instead.
How do you trigger a successful breeding session for African Butterflyfish?
Advanced reproduction requires an environmental simulation loop. First, simulate a 14-day dry season by lowering the water level to 4 - 6 inches (10 - 15 cm) and raising the temperature to 84°F (29°C). Next, trigger a rainy season by executing a massive 60% water change using cool, soft RO water (6.0 pH, 2 dGH) over 3 hours while adding dense floating layers of Salvinia or Amazon Frogbit. Spawning occurs at night under cover; the female deposits 100 - 200 dark, floating eggs that hatch in 36 - 48 hours. The microscopic fry require live floating springtails or paramecium strictly along the surface line. Feed infusoria for the first 5 days, then transition to baby brine shrimp.

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