butterflies keep dying

Question
I have a 50 gallon tank with 2 clowns, 2 yellow tail damsels and a yellow tang.  They all seem to be doing good since I started my system 4 months ago.  But every time I add a Butterfly fish it dies after a week or two.  This happened with a Copperband, a Dot-dash and a Pearlscale Butterfly.  The all have shown the same symptoms, they seem fine at the beginning, but after a few days they start swimming around rapidly and scratching with anything the can find.  I am a rookie at this, but I've done a good job at keeping all levels good.  I need help, these are my favorite fish, but I don't want to see them dye.

Answer

Hello,

Unfortunately in my experience butterfly's are very hard to acclimate and keep healthy in your system.  I would look at where you are buying them from.  It seems that the fish are not being taken care off in the shipping and handling process. They may be to stressed and already have disease present in them it hard to tell..but by your description that may be the case.

I never suggest these fish to beginners because they are one of the hardest too keep and get acclimated.  A good sign is all your water parameters are good. None of your other fish have died but they are extremely hardy so that may be the case too.  I think the overall health of the fish is poor prior to you getting them.

Try a longfin or raccon butterfly they seem to be the hardiest of all these species.

good luck Todd