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Contents
Overview
The African butterflyfish is a true living fossil, the sole member of an ancient family related to arowanas. Its flat back and huge pectoral fins, spread like wings, make it instantly recognizable. The pelvic fins trail long filaments, and its mottled brown-green coloring mimics a floating leaf.
It lives in calm, shaded waters of West and Central Africa (Niger, Congo, Cameroon), hovering just under the surface and waiting for insects to drop in. It is a rewarding fish for hobbyists with some experience who want something unusual for the top layer of the tank. Despite the myths, it does not fly, but it can make powerful leaps to grab prey or escape.
Care and tank setup
What matters is surface area, not height. A 30-gallon (120-liter) tank with a generous footprint and a slightly lowered water level works better than a tall, narrow one. A tight-fitting lid with no gaps is non-negotiable because this fish jumps.
- Gentle flow: a filter that churns the surface stresses it.
- Floating plants such as salvinia or water sprite over part of the surface, leaving open areas to cruise and hunt.
- Soft to medium, slightly acidic water kept warm and stable, 75-84°F (24-29°C), in a cycled tank.
- Moderate light; driftwood and leaf litter that tint the water are appreciated.
Tankmates: midwater and bottom fish too big to fit in its mouth, such as corydoras, dwarf cichlids, larger tetras or calm loaches. Avoid other territorial surface fish and tiny species like guppies or rasboras, which become snacks. Two butterflyfish may squabble over space; a single fish does perfectly well.
Feeding
It is a surface hunter that eats whatever floats. Offer small crickets, fruit flies, bloodworms and brine shrimp, and with patience it will take floating carnivore pellets or flakes. It rarely goes down for food, so anything that sinks will go to its tankmates. Two small feedings a day are plenty.
Breeding
It has been bred in aquariums, but rarely. The female lays eggs that float at the surface and must be moved to a separate container, because the adults will eat them. The fry are tiny and only take floating prey such as springtails or newly hatched brine shrimp, which makes raising them a challenge. For most hobbyists it is more of a curiosity than a practical project.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the African butterflyfish. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Platy Xiphophorus maculatus 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha 16 gal (60 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii 32 gal (120 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare 53 gal (200 L) · 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Clown loach Chromobotia macracanthus 132 gal (500 L) · 77–86 °F (25–30 °C) 
Ram cichlid Mikrogeophagus ramirezi 16 gal (60 L) · 79–86 °F (26–30 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the African butterflyfish, and why.
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Celestial pearl danio: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Ember tetra: one may eat the other due to size
- Nerite snail: eats snails
- Horned nerite snail: eats snails
- Amano shrimp: eats shrimp
- Cherry shrimp: eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the African butterflyfish healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a African butterflyfish need?
At least about 120 liters. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the African butterflyfish need?
Between 24 and 29 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the African butterflyfish?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Cherry barb, Tiger barb, Bronze cory and Platy. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the African butterflyfish be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
