African Butterfly Fish (Pantodon buchholzi) is one of the most unusual surface-dwelling fish in the hobby — a living ambush predator with broad, wing-like pectoral fins that let it glide short distances across the water's surface to snatch insects. In the wild it spends nearly all its time motionless at the surface, camouflaged among floating leaves and debris, waiting for prey to come within striking range.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Betta Bio-Gold and other slow-sinking or floating pellets make a reliable staple once a fish is trained onto prepared foods — many individuals prefer to be started on live food first. Crickets, small roaches, and other live insects dropped onto the surface trigger the fish's natural hunting response. Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms fed at the surface make an excellent supplement. Feed once daily — this species does not need to eat as frequently as most community fish.
Native to slow-moving, densely vegetated rivers, floodplains, and swamps across West and Central Africa — including the Congo Basin, Niger Delta, and Cameroon — where it hunts insects that fall onto the water's surface. The large, upturned mouth and flattened head are built for striking upward and outward in a single explosive motion.
A tightly fitting lid is not optional. African Butterfly Fish are powerful jumpers and will clear an open top of several inches without hesitation, especially when startled. Keep the water level a few inches below the rim as extra insurance. Provide floating plants such as Water Lettuce, Frogbit, or Salvinia for cover and a more natural sense of security — this species is shy and skittish without surface cover. Avoid strong surface agitation from filter returns or airstones; this fish evolved for still, undisturbed water and struggles to feed or rest comfortably in turbulent surface conditions.
True to its predatory nature, the African Butterfly Fish will eat any tankmate small enough to fit in its mouth — keep only with fish too large to be seen as prey, and never with small nano fish, shrimp, or fry. It is generally peaceful toward similarly sized or larger fish that share the same mid-to-bottom water column, since it rarely leaves the surface. Best kept alone or in a small group of its own kind in a sufficiently large, well-covered aquarium with plenty of surface area.
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Temperament | Predatory surface hunter — peaceful toward tankmates too large to be eaten |
| Typical Adult Size | 4–5 inches (10–13 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | Best kept singly or in a small group of its own kind; needs generous surface area |
| Ideal Temp | 73–86°F (23–30°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Ideal GH | 5–15 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 2–10 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Betta Bio-Gold or other floating/slow-sinking pellets; live crickets and insects |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms; live feeder insects |
| Origin | West and Central Africa — Congo Basin, Niger Delta, Cameroon |
| Notes |
Tight-fitting lid required — powerful jumper Surface dweller — needs still water and floating plant cover, avoid strong surface agitation Predatory — will eat any tankmate small enough to fit in its mouth Ambush hunter — often more active at dusk/night |
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