Imported
African Butterfly Fish
Pantodon buchholzi
Native Location: Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon
Climate: Tropical
Maximum Size: 12cm
Temperament: Generally peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Breeding: Difficult
Temperature Range: 23-30℃ (73-86℉)
Preferred pH Range: 6.0-7.5
Minimum Aquarium 100l
Potential Tankmates: Most bottom-dwelling species. Avoid surface-dwelling fish
Care Level: Moderate
The African Butterfly Fish is typically found in slow-moving and still waters, such as creeks or lakes with dense aquatic vegetation. Keep your butterfly fish in a dimly lit aquarium with floating plants to diffuse light and keep the water moving slowly.
Provide space between the water's surface and a secure lid.
A dark substrate beneath these beautiful fish can help reduce stress levels and avoid unwanted.
Ideal tank mates should be capable of avoiding the surface water and being out of the reach of the Butterfly Fish. Bottom-dwelling catfish and Kribensis are perfect.
This fish is an insectivore and thrives on a varied diet of live or frozen food such as bloodworm, brine shrimp etc. It will eagerly take any spiders you can catch around your home to keep them happy and interested.
Breeding, although difficult, is not impossible in the home aquarium. The key is to provide a lot of surface area and floating plants. To prepare your fish for breeding, provide a high-protein live food diet as much as possible. Spawning will take place among the floating plants. Unlike most other egg-scattering fish, the eggs of the Butterfly Fish float to the surface. The hard part about breeding these fish is the raising of the fry. With the adults showing zero parental care, the eggs must be removed straight away, placed into another aquarium, and raised on tiny live foods until large enough.
The butterfly fish gained its common name from its appearance when viewed from above. These large pectoral fins serve as camouflage and help propel the jumps it can make to catch flying insects or escape predators.
All our fish are quarantined on arrival for two weeks. During this time, they are treated for any possible diseases and given a complete health check to make sure they are health, happy and eating well before being placed in our display aquariums, ready for sale.
Dead on Arrival (DOA) Policy: In the unfortunate event that your fish arrives dead, please follow these steps: Within 12 hours of the delivery, take clear, unopened bag pictures showing the deceased fish. Send these photographs and your order number to our customer service email at getfish@thefishroom.co.nz or to our Facebook page and we will then offer a refund or store credit for the cost of the fish.
Two-Week Guarantee Policy: We stand behind the health and quality of our fish, which is why we offer a two-week guarantee starting from the day of delivery. If your fish dies within this time frame, adhere to the following procedure: Take clear photos of the deceased fish. Using a reliable test kit, document via a dated photo, water parameters (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite levels). Please email us the photographs, water parameters, and order number to getfish@thefishroom.co.nz or our Facebook page. After reviewing your claim, if approved, we will issue a store credit for the cost of the fish. Our two-week guarantee does not cover fish deaths due to unsuitable water conditions, incompatible tank mates or “disasters” i.e. a heater overheating. We recommend thoroughly researching each fish species' needs before introducing them to your aquarium to prevent such situations.
Freight Charges: Please note that shipping or freight charges are non-refundable under all circumstances. We hope this guide makes our refund and guarantee process more understandable. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please get in touch with us at getfish@thefishroom.co.nz. We are always happy to assist. Thank you for choosing The Fish Room. Happy fish keeping!
