Qwertus

Do these ever act aggressively towards their own kind? I have 3 in a 20 gal tank with only ghost shrimps. A few days ago one died, from the look of it, it got beat up pretty bad and one just die today same appearance, there's only 1 left atm. They all have been living in that tank for about 1 and a half year, added all 3 at the same time.

mudboots

Perhaps they've outgrown the tank and were competing for territory or just had a recent boost in appetite. A 20 gallon tank may also be a little on the cramped side for their nature and perhaps this is due to some mating issues they had with each other. They're pretty aggressive and will swallow anything they can fit into their mouths from what I've learned, though I only ever owned one when I was a kid (a billion years ago) and he suffered mortality with a tank-break. But man, what a cool fish.

Qwertus

It's kinda strange that they would kill their own kind though. They're bearly 3 inches from the tip of the tail to the head.

fishyerik

If they're barely 3 inches in total length 18 months after you bought them starvation were probably the main cause of death. Really hungry fish are also more inclined to be aggressive.

Qwertus

They grew to that size.. they ate very aggressively everytime i feed though.. hunger isn't a problem for those 3.

fishyerik

If they grew to that size from eggs they might not have been so severely starved all the time.

Isn't hunger a problem for those three? It's most likely the main reason two of them died, call it hunger, starvation, not getting enough food, get it?

I'm not surprised they ate very aggressively every time you fed them, that's normal behavior for starved fish.

Six

Considering 4" is full grown, 3" really isnt that far from it.
The tank may not have a large enough surface area for three of those fishes for their entire lives. Just because they get along fine for some time does not mean they will for life.
If none had died I would have suggested taking one or two out or breaking up the territory of the fish with plants or wood.

I seriously doubt you starved your fish, at least not intentionally. If one out-competed the others for food, then well, that's somewhat starving for the other two, but normal for fish in cramped condition.

Just don't add any more surface dwellers to that tank and the last one should live for quite some time.

GL

Qwertus

African butterflies have always been aggressive during feedings, if you had kept them you would have known that.

They did not die from hunger.. they would have eat each other if they were hungry instead of just killing and leave it floating.

fishyerik

4 inches is not maximum size, well fed and kept they can grow bigger.

Extremely hungry fish is very often much more aggressive killing each other or as in nature where the weaker fish can flee, just chasing away leaves more food for the stronger fish.

And no, butterflyfishes don't consider other similar sized butterflyfishes food.

You don't have to become personal with me, I've kept butterflyfishes, fyi I have 30+ years aquarium experience. I'm not accusing you of anything, just telling you so you know how to do in the future, so your last butterflyfish won't die, feed it more, but be careful about the water quality.

Qwertus

Well from your experience, how much food do you feed it per day? I fed each of them 2 crickets at least per day, one before i go to work and one before bed. I also add a little crushed flakes for the ghost shrimps in the bottom. If the ghost shrimps can stay alive and reproduce i'd say thats enough food.

Captive african butterflies can only get to about 4 inches maybe some will be slight bigger but thats basically about the max size for them according to a hell lot of sources.

The african butterflies are very hardy compare to the shrimps, if something happens to the water i'd imagine the shrimps would die first.