African Butterfly Fish
African Butterfly Fish is a semi-aggressive freshwater fish that needs a tank of at least 30 gallons (114 L), water at 75-86°F (24-30°C) and a pH of 6-7.5.
Also searched as: butterfly fish, pantodon buchholzi
Quick facts
Surface predator. Eats small fish and insects. Needs tight lid, jumper.
| Minimum tank | 30 gallons (114 L) |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 75-86°F (24-30°C) |
| pH | 6-7.5 |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
| Swim level | Top |
| Group size | Can be kept singly |
| Tank type | Freshwater |
Good tank mates
Ranked by water overlap and temperament, using the same checks as the MyAquaLog compatibility tool.
- Angelfishmin tank 30 gal
Temperature overlap 76-84°F, pH overlap 6-7.5. Both species may compete; monitor for aggression.
- Siamese Algae Eatermin tank 30 gal
Temperature overlap 75-79°F, pH overlap 6-7.5. Semi-aggressive species may stress peaceful fish.
- Rummy Nose Tetramin tank 10 gal
Temperature overlap 75-81°F, pH overlap 6-7. Semi-aggressive species may stress peaceful fish.
- Betta Fishmin tank 5 gal
Temperature overlap 76-82°F, pH overlap 6.5-7.5. Both species may compete; monitor for aggression.
- Blood Parrot Cichlidmin tank 30 gal
Temperature overlap 76-80°F, pH overlap 6.5-7.4. Both species may compete; monitor for aggression.
- Blue Phantom Plecomin tank 30 gal
Temperature overlap 77-86°F, pH overlap 6-7. Semi-aggressive species may stress peaceful fish.
- Columbian Tetramin tank 30 gal
Temperature overlap 75-82°F, pH overlap 6-7.5. Both species may compete; monitor for aggression.
- Glass Catfishmin tank 30 gal
Temperature overlap 75-80°F, pH overlap 6.5-7. Semi-aggressive species may stress peaceful fish.
Avoid with
Pairings that fail the temperament, water-overlap or known-conflict checks.
- African Cichlids (Mbuna)min tank 55 gal
High risk of conflict between semi-aggressive and aggressive species; no pH overlap (6-7.5 vs 7.8-8.6).
- Tropheusmin tank 75 gal
High risk of conflict between semi-aggressive and aggressive species; no pH overlap (6-7.5 vs 8-9).
High risk of conflict between semi-aggressive and aggressive species.
Oscar Fishmin tank 55 galChinese Algae Eatermin tank 30 galConvict Cichlidmin tank 30 gal
Check your own tank
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