CheckMyFishTankAfrican Butterfly Fish care
Pantodon buchholzi · Freshwater · Intermediate level care
A surface lurker that looks like a leaf and leaps from the water.
Feeding
Once a day. A few pellets or a couple of frozen items per fish that are gone in a few minutes. Floating pellets, flies, crickets, insects.
Eats fish small enough to fit in its mouth.
Jumps. Keep a tight lid on the tank.
Good tank mates
Fish that pass every check with African Butterfly Fish in a 80 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.
Do not mix with
- Neon Tetra: African Butterfly Fish grows big enough to eat Neon Tetra.
- Cardinal Tetra: African Butterfly Fish grows big enough to eat Cardinal Tetra.
- Green Neon Tetra: African Butterfly Fish grows big enough to eat Green Neon Tetra.
- Black Neon Tetra: African Butterfly Fish grows big enough to eat Black Neon Tetra.
- Ember Tetra: African Butterfly Fish grows big enough to eat Ember Tetra.
- Lemon Tetra: African Butterfly Fish grows big enough to eat Lemon Tetra.
- Glowlight Tetra: African Butterfly Fish grows big enough to eat Glowlight Tetra.
- Serpae Tetra: African Butterfly Fish grows big enough to eat Serpae Tetra.
Questions
What size tank does a African Butterfly Fish need?
At least 40 gallons. Adults grow to about 5 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.
What temperature does a African Butterfly Fish like?
75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 6 to 7.5. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.
How many African Butterfly Fish should I keep together?
One is fine. If you keep more, keep one male, since males fight each other.
What do African Butterfly Fish eat?
Floating pellets, flies, crickets, insects. Feed once a day: a few pellets or a couple of frozen items per fish that are gone in a few minutes.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.