Keeping the African Freshwater Butterfly Fish

[BronxZooFrank]

Hi All,
In habits, appearance, and evolutionary history, the African Butterfly Fish, Pantodon buchholzi, is one of the most unusual of all aquarium species. Yet despite having been in the trade for over 100 years, this “freshwater flying fish” (a misnomer, see below) gets little attention. Captive breeding is challenging but possible, and its fantastic hunting behaviors are thrilling to observe. I helped to set up an African Butterfly Fish exhibit at the Bronx Zoo, and was not at all surprised when it became a great favorite. Most of the visitors I spoke with were astonished to learn that such an “exotic” creature, worthy of a large zoo exhibit, was available at many pet stores! Read article here http://bit.ly/12waqa4
Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bitly.com/JP27Nj and Facebook http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

Thanks, Frank
My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with http://bitly.com/LC8Lbp

 

[Too Many Choices]

Yeah I've got one. I think they're a gorgeous fish. Do you have any pictures of the Zoo exhibit?

 

[BronxZooFrank]

Yeah I've got one. I think they're a gorgeous fish. Do you have any pictures of the Zoo exhibit?

Hi, I'm sorry I do not, and i'm no longer working there full time, but will try on my next freelance job there. The exhibit has a mirror above and to the side, so that visitors can view the fish from above. otherwise it is shallow, slow current, heavily planted,

Best, frank

 

[m8r8j]

i had one, it would only eat crickets, it was a pain in the ass lol


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[sbuse]

I have one at my store. It eats FD bloomworms and bites at pellets.

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[BronxZooFrank]

I have one at my store. It eats FD bloomworms and bites at pellets.

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Thanks...I've had some that will take dry foods,...long term they did not do as well w/o some live insects,, but good as a way of supplementing live foods. Best, Frank

 

[Too Many Choices]

Mine happily eats pellets but I think I'll be moving it into a smaller tank as he's getting a bit out competed by the tank mates.

 

[lix.ma14]

100+ years in the trade/ That's astonding! The era of glass bowls with no filters and such.

 

[BronxZooFrank]

100+ years in the trade/ That's astonding! The era of glass bowls with no filters and such.

Yes...I read a few good accounts of the beginnings of the hobby, in Europe (Asia took a different route), need to recall some of my sources. Apparently, fresh water sticklebacks got things going in England...I've kept them, and marine species, and can see why! best, frank