{"product_id":"african-butterfly-fish-pantodon-buchholzi","title":"African Butterfly Fish | Pantodon buchholzi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe African Butterflyfish is a living leaf that lies motionless at the surface, then snaps up insects from above and can even leap to catch them. A peaceful but predatory surface oddity reaching 10–13 cm, it is a fascinating specialist that demands a tight-fitting lid, as it is a determined jumper.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePantodon buchholzi inhabits still and slow-moving waters of West and Central Africa, hanging beneath floating plants in warm, soft, tannin-stained water. Its upturned mouth and wing-like pectoral fins are built for surface ambush. Floating plants, gentle flow and dim lighting recreate its home and keep it calm.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eViewed from above it resembles a drifting leaf, mottled grey-brown and beautifully camouflaged, with broad pectoral 'wings' and long trailing pelvic filaments. The flattened head and upturned mouth sit right at the waterline. Its cryptic pattern shows best against a planted, softly lit surface.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful toward fish too large to eat but it is a surface predator, so any tank mate small enough to fit in its mouth is fair game. It ignores mid- and bottom-dwellers and prefers a calm tank. House it only with peaceful, appropriately sized companions and never with fin-nippers, which will damage its trailing fins.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA surface carnivore that wants meaty, floating foods: crickets, mealworms, small insects, floating pellets and frozen or live foods offered at the top. It rarely looks below the surface, so food must stay up where it can reach. Variety keeps it in good condition and encourages its natural ambush feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 110 L, with 150 L or larger recommended, prioritising surface area over height. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and GH soft to medium, around 5–15. Use gentle flow, floating cover and a tight lid, as it will jump. Keep water warm and stable, as it dislikes sudden swings. It is peaceful with the right tank mates and plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding is possible but uncommon. Adults scatter floating eggs that hatch into surface-feeding fry needing a steady supply of tiny live foods. Raising the fry is challenging, so successful breeding is largely the preserve of specialist keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePantodon buchholzi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAfrican Butterflyfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWest and Central Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 5–6 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful surface predator\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger (surface area matters)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (surface): insects, floating pellets, frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to medium, around 5–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCalm, lidded, planted community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include peaceful mid- and bottom-dwellers of moderate size such as larger tetras, rasboras, peaceful barbs, corydoras, synodontis and medium peaceful cichlids that stay out of the surface zone.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small surface fish or fry that it will eat, with fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, and with large aggressive fish. Never house without a secure lid.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232882802979,"sku":null,"price":42.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232882835747,"sku":"AA2060","price":52.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232882868515,"sku":null,"price":62.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/African_Butterflyfish_6c6a5b4c-d3e1-4621-966b-137c57d46a1c.jpg?v=1781701825","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/african-butterfly-fish-pantodon-buchholzi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}