African butterfly fish care guide
Also called: African butterflyfish, Freshwater butterflyfish, Butterfly fish, Pantodon
The African butterfly fish is a surface-dwelling predator from West and Central Africa with large, wing-like pectoral fins. It makes an unusual centerpiece, but it eats small fish, jumps hard and needs a covered tank with still water.
African butterfly fish need a tank of at least 29 gallons (110 L), and water at 24–28°C (75–82°F) with a pH of 6–7.5. They grow to about 11 cm (4.3 in) and are semi-aggressive.
Plan a tank with african butterfly fishSee all tank mates
African butterfly fish quick facts
| Scientific name | Pantodon buchholzi |
|---|---|
| Family | Pantodontidae |
| Origin | Still, vegetated waters of West and Central Africa, including the Niger and Congo basins and Lake Chad |
| Adult size | 11 cm (4.3 in) |
| Minimum tank | 29 gallons (110 L), at least 90 cm (35 in) long |
| Temperature | 24–28°C (75–82°F) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–15 dGH |
| Group size | Alone (only one male) |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive; males fight each other |
| Swims at | Top |
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 4–6 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
- Long fins attract fin nippers.
Tank setup
One fish needs at least a 29-gallon (110 L) tank about 90 cm (36 in) long. Surface area matters far more than depth, so choose a long, wide tank. Keep the light dim, add floating plants and fit a tight lid, because they can leap a long way.
How many african butterfly fish in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits african butterfly fish is a 40 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | African butterfly fish (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Up to 11 |
| 55 gallon | Up to 16 |
| 75 gallon | Up to 22 |
| 125 gallon | Up to 37 |
Numbers are bioload limits only. Males fight, so keep one male unless the tank is large and well planned.
What you need for african butterfly fish
Sized for a 29 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits african butterfly fish. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 29 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 29 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 242 lb (110 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 150 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 79 °F (26 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 115–175 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 45 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 30 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for african butterfly fish
- Tropical fish pellets (opens Amazon in a new tab)A good staple for medium community fish.
- Freeze-dried bloodworms or brine shrimp (opens Amazon in a new tab)A treat that carnivores and insect eaters love. Feed it a few times a week.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 29 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)African butterfly fish can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
Keep them at 24–28 °C (75–82 °F), pH 6.0–7.5 and 5–15 dGH. Soft, slightly acidic, tea-colored water from driftwood or leaves suits them well. Use gentle filtration with very little surface current.
Best tank mates for african butterfly fish
These popular species share african butterfly fish' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 43 good matches.
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Angelfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 24–29°C (75–84°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Malaysian trumpet snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Mystery snail
5 cm (2 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Avoid keeping african butterfly fish with
- Betta fish: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like african butterfly fish, mistaking them for rivals.
- Cherry shrimp: African butterfly fish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: African butterfly fish 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: African butterfly fish 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Neon tetra: African butterfly fish can eat neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Tiger barb: Tiger barb is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of african butterfly fish.
Feeding
They feed almost only at the surface, mainly on insects. Offer crickets, flies, small mealworms and live or frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp at the surface, plus floating pellets if they accept them. Remove food that sinks, since they rarely go after it.
Behavior
Mostly calm, but it eats any fish small enough to swallow and may chase other surface fish. Its long, trailing fins attract fin nippers. Good tankmates are peaceful mid- and bottom-level fish too big to eat, such as Congo tetras, corydoras, Synodontis catfish and peaceful plecos. Two can share a roomy tank, but expect some squabbling.
Breeding
Possible but not common. They scatter floating eggs at the surface, sometimes after the water level is lowered for a while and then raised. The parents give no care, so move the eggs to another tank, where they hatch in a few days. Fry need the tiniest live foods offered right at the surface.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Never leave the lid off. They can jump well clear of the tank when startled.
- Avoid tankmates under about 5 cm (2 in) and any known fin nippers.
- Keep the surface calm. Strong filter outflow stresses them.
- Leave open spaces between the floating plants so they can hunt at the surface.
Frequently asked questions
Can African butterfly fish fly?
Not really. They make powerful leaps out of the water to catch insects or escape danger, and their wide fins may carry them a short way, but they cannot truly fly. This is why a tight lid is a must.
What fish can live with an African butterfly fish?
Peaceful fish that stay lower in the water and are too big to eat, such as Congo tetras, corydoras, Synodontis catfish and peaceful plecos. Avoid fin nippers and small surface fish like hatchetfish.
How long do African butterfly fish live?
Around 4–6 years with good care, and sometimes longer.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.