Species profile
African Butterfly Fish
Pantodon buchholziAfrican Butterfly Fish (Pantodon buchholzi) is a community species for a cycled 30+ gallon freshwater aquarium. Plan for about 5 inches as an adult, 75-82°F water, pH 6-7.5, and advanced care. Match tankmates by water range, adult size, activity level, and feeding needs.
Community leaningAdvanced care
30 galMinimum tank
5 inAdult size
1Schooling minimum
75-82°FTemperature
Water Range
- pH
- 6-7.5
- GH
- 2-12 dGH
- KH
- 1-8 dKH
Behavior
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Fin nipping
- 0/5
- Territory
- 1/5
Diet and Care
- Diet
- carnivore/insectivore
- Diet difficulty
- 4/5
- Care difficulty
- 4/5
Planning Notes
Surface specialist and jumper; needs a secure lid, calm surface space, and suitable floating foods.
This species may need live, frozen, fresh, or otherwise specialized foods.
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These matches are starting points with overlapping water ranges and lower behavior risk. Always check the full stocking plan, tank size, and group counts before buying.
Run African Butterfly Fish through the checker with your tank size, cycle status, water, group count, and tankmates before buying.
Check my tankCompare this speciesPut African Butterfly Fish beside another profile to compare water range, size, diet, schooling needs, and behavior.
Open comparisonWill plants work?Match African Butterfly Fish against aquarium plants for nibbling, uprooting, cover, flow, and water-range flags.
Open plant matchAsk about my setupAsk Advisor how African Butterfly Fish fits with your current tank, recent logs, plants, and livestock.
Ask AdvisorView native rangeOpen the origins map to see reviewed native-range coordinates and regional context for African Butterfly Fish.
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