Species Profile
African Butterfly Fish
Pantodon buchholzi
Oddballssemi-aggressive
Adult size
5″
Minimum tank
40 gal
Temperature
73–86°F
pH
6–7.5
Schooling
Solitary OK
Water level
top
Diet
Live and frozen insects, surface foods
Notes
Lives at the surface with broad pectoral fins like wings. Eats anything that lands on the water, including small fish at the surface. Jumps after flying prey; tight lid essential. Best as the sole top-dweller with bottom-oriented tankmates.
Compatible Tankmates
Best tank mates for African Butterfly Fish
Every species below passes the compatibility engine when paired with African Butterfly Fishin a suitably sized tank. Verdicts come from the same rules the builder uses — click a card to see that species' own care profile and its tank mates in turn.
Cardinal Tetra
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Rummynose Tetra
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Harlequin Rasbora
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Zebra Danio
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Fancy Guppy
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Platy
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Molly
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Swordtail
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Male Betta
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Dwarf Gourami
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Honey Gourami
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Pearl Gourami
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Photo: Toniher / Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC-BY-SA-3.0