African butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Freshwater butterflyfish, Butterfly fish
Family
Pantodontidae (African butterflyfish)
Origin
West and Central Africa – Nigeria, Lake Chad, Cameroon, the Ogowe and Congo basins and the upper Zambezi – in calm, still or slow water with lots of surface vegetation.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
12 cm
Temperature
23–30°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium, 5–15 dGH
Minimum tank
81 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

The African butterflyfish is the only living member of its family – an ancient relative of the arowanas. It spends almost all its time just under the surface, with its large, wing-like pectoral fins spread out, waiting for insects. Surface area matters more than depth: a tank of at least 90 × 30 cm (about 80 litres) suits one or a small group. It is a remarkable jumper, so a tightly fitted lid with no gaps is essential, and leave a little air space under the lid. Keep the water surface calm with gentle filtration and give some floating plants for cover. Keep the water at 23–30 °C (around 25–27 °C is ideal), soft to medium and pH 6–7.5. It can breathe air at the surface. Males have a curved edge to the anal fin; in females the edge is straight. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/pantodon-buchholzi/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Pantodon-buchholzi.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freshwaterbutterflyfish). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An insect-eater that feeds only at the surface. Offer live or frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, small crickets, flies and mealworms; some will take floating flake or sticks. Sinking food is ignored. It will also eat small fish.

Breeding

An egg-scatterer that is hard to raise. Use a tank with a large surface area, plenty of floating plants, soft acidic water (pH 6–6.5) and 25–26.5 °C. Floating eggs (about 80–220 per spawning) hatch in roughly seven days; collect them into a separate container. The fry feed at the surface and need tiny live foods such as newly hatched brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful with fish it cannot swallow, but anything small enough will be eaten. Avoid fin-nippers and other surface fish. Good companions include Congo tetras, elephantnose fish, Synodontis catfish, African knifefish and calm cichlids. Can be kept in a small group if there is enough surface cover, but may squabble with its own kind.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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