Oddballs & Specialty
African Butterfly Fish
Pantodon buchholzi
A living-fossil surface predator with wing-like pectoral fins, built to ambush from above.
- Water
- Freshwater
- Temperature
- 73–86°F
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Hardness
- 3–12 dGH
- Max size
- 4 in
- Min tank
- 30 gal
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Social
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Top
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Lifespan
- 5-6 years
- Breeding
- Egg-layer
- Suitability
- Intermediate
- Origin
- West Africa
Hangs motionless at the surface waiting for insects, then strikes — and can glide briefly above the water, so a tight lid is essential. Will eat small fish but ignores anything below it. Keep with mid- and bottom-dwelling tankmates too large to be prey.