Description
Freshwater Butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi)
📌 Basic Info
Scientific Name: Pantodon buchholzi
Common Names: Freshwater Butterflyfish, African Butterfly Fish
Family: Pantodontidae
Order: Osteoglossiformes
Origin: West & Central Africa — Congo Basin, Niger River, Chad Basin
Size: 10 – 12 cm (4 – 5 inches)
Lifespan: 5 – 7 years
Tank Zone: Top surface
🌊 Water Parameters
Temperature: 24 – 30°C
pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Hardness: Soft to medium
TDS: 80 – 200 ppm
🐟 Characteristics
Body Shape: Flattened, wing-like pectoral fins enabling gliding jumps.
Coloration: Brown, gold, and mottled pattern — perfect camouflage for surface habitats.
Mouth: Upturned, specialized for hunting insects at the water surface.
Behavior: Calm but predatory; prefers still or slow-moving water.
Special Feature: Can jump and glide above water like a butterfly; requires a tight lid.
🍽️ Diet
Type: Carnivorous
Preferred Foods: Insects, mosquito larvae, crickets, bloodworms, small shrimp, floating carnivore pellets
Feeding Frequency: Once or twice a day
Tip: They prefer floating food—avoid sinking pellets.
🛠️ Tank Setup & Maintenance
Tank Size: Minimum 120 liters (3 ft tank)
Water Surface: Must be calm with lots of floating plants
Lid: Tight-fitting cover—excellent jumpers
Decor: Floating plants (Salvinia, Frogbit), branches, dim lighting
Filtration: Gentle flow
Water Change: 20–30% weekly
👥 Social Behavior
Nature: Peaceful but predatory
Tank Mates: Mid–bottom-dwelling peaceful fish like Congo Tetras, Plecos, Corydoras, Ropefish
Avoid: Small fish (neon tetras, guppies), fin-nippers, aggressive species
Compatibility: Best kept singly or in very large tanks
Breeding: Possible but rare; surface bubble-clutch breeding
✅ Do’s
• Use floating plants for cover
• Keep the tank tightly covered
• Offer floating live/frozen foods
• Maintain calm, slow-flowing water
❌ Don’ts
• Don’t mix with small bite-sized fish
• Don’t leave tank open—high jumping risk
• Don’t keep with fin-nipping species
• Don’t expose to strong water flow
⭐ Quick Tip
The Freshwater Butterflyfish is a top-surface predator known for its gliding, insect-hunting behavior and wing-like fins. With calm water, floating plants, and the right tank mates, it becomes a stunning and unique showpiece in advanced aquariums.
