Why is my African Butterfly Fish ignoring its food?

This species will completely ignore food that sinks. They require floating pellets, freeze-dried insects, or live foods like crickets and fruit flies that remain on the surface tension of the water.

Do I really need a lid for this fish?

Yes, a tight-fitting lid is absolutely essential. They are highly adapted jumpers that naturally leap out of the water to catch insects, and they will easily jump out of an uncovered aquarium.

Can I keep multiple African Butterfly Fish together?

Yes, but they require a tank with a very large surface area to establish their own territories. In cramped surface spaces, they may become aggressive towards one another.

Will they eat my other fish?

They are ambush predators with surprisingly large mouths. Any fish small enough to fit inside, especially surface dwellers like guppies or small tetras, will eventually be eaten.

Why does my fish stay entirely still at the top of the tank?

This is their natural behaviour. They are ambush predators that rely on camouflage, floating motionless at the surface to resemble a dead leaf until prey comes within striking distance.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

African Butterfly Fish

Pantodon buchholzi

A fascinating surface-dwelling oddball fish known for its unique wing-like fins and ability to leap out of the water to catch insects.

List this species for sale Find African Butterfly Fish near me

Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 30 °C
pH range: 6 – 7.5
Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 10 – 12 cm
100L (wide footprint required): 100 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 6 years
Diet: Carnivore/Insectivore
Water flow: low
Preferred setup: Heavily planted with floating plants, large surface area, very tight-fitting lid.

About the African Butterfly Fish

The African Butterfly Fish (Pantodon buchholzi) is a remarkable relic of the prehistoric past, being the sole member of its ancient family. Adapted exclusively for life at the water's surface, this species boasts highly modified, wing-like pectoral fins and a perfectly flattened dorsal profile. Their upturned mouths and upward-facing eyes make them perfectly evolved for their ecological niche as surface ambush predators. In the home aquarium, they provide a striking visual presence, hovering completely motionless for long periods before lunging at prey with startling speed.

Find African Butterfly Fish

Search current listings in your chosen area. If none are available, save an alert and we’ll let you know when a match is listed.

Find locally Check compatibility Add to a Setup

Availability alerts only use public sale listings. Adding this species to a Setup updates your private records.

Is it right for your tank?

Check African Butterfly Fish against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where African Butterfly Fish comes from

Native range

West Africa, Congo River Basin, Niger River Basin

Countries / regions

Nigeria, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Gabon

Habitat

Slow-moving or stagnant waters, swamps, and river margins heavily shaded by overhanging terrestrial vegetation.

Widespread across the calmer, heavily vegetated waterways of West and Central Africa.

Similar species

Golden Wonder Killifish
Aplocheilus lineatus
Silver Arowana
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Congo Tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Large enough to avoid being eaten, occupies the middle water column, and thrives in similar water parameters.
Great
Kribensis
Pelvicachromis pulcher
A bottom-dwelling cichlid that will completely ignore the surface-dwelling butterfly fish.
Great
Corydoras Catfish
Corydoras spp.
Peaceful bottom scavengers that remain well out of the butterfly fish's predatory range.
Great
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Generally peaceful, but curious or aggressive individuals may nip at the butterfly fish's trailing pelvic fins.
Compatible with caution
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Small enough to fit into the butterfly fish's surprisingly large mouth and will likely be eaten.
Not recommended
Marbled Hatchetfish
Carnegiella strigata
Competes for the exact same surface territory and is small enough to be viewed as prey.
Not recommended

Current marketplace listings

Checking the marketplace…

See all African Butterfly Fish listings

Public Wanted requests

No open requests for African Butterfly Fish in this market yet.

Looking for African Butterfly Fish?

Search current listings near you, or post a wanted request so local sellers know what you’re looking for.

Search African Butterfly Fish listings Post a wanted request