Butterflies and big fish in reef tanks

[PJs_Bucket_List]

Thinking WAY ahead about stocking my 125 gallon, and I'd appreciate some input from people who have experience with these fish. I know there's no "reef safe" butterfly, and no fish is absolutely guaranteed to be safe, but I've seen numerous reef tanks with butterfly fish, angels, etc. I'd love to ultimately have a mixed reef aquarium with a variety of these aquatic beauties. While I do intend to do my research on any fish before buying, I'd love some suggestions and advice on stocking. Also specifically why that breed of fish might not be reef safe, what other livestock would be at risk if they're in the same tank, what can safely be housed together, etc. Any and all advice and ideas are appreciated.

 

[chaples55]

It often depends on the specific fish. Even within the same species some can be well behaved while others are not. The most likely corals to be targeted by butterflies and angels seem to be fleshy corals like acans and blastos. Also I definitely would not keep any clams as that is basically their favorite food!

The only one I've kept so far is a flameback angelfish and it has been very well behaved for several years now. They stay small which is nice. I also just started quarantining a nice Copperband butterfly that was eating mysis at the store! They are supposed to be pretty safe (the issue is getting them to eat and keeping them alive)...

Here's a nice article on potentially reef safe butterflies:

Keeping butterflyfish in reefs: What to look out for and what to avoid | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Butterflyfish are the quintessential reef inhabitant. Take a look at any coral reef picture, video, documentary, poster, you name it. There’s a high chance a colourful butterfly is flitting around…

reefbuilders.com

 

[PJs_Bucket_List]

I'd love to get a copperband butterfly eventually. Now that I have a sump I have a better chance of building and maintaining a good pod population. Necessary for the mandarin I want, also... this tank build is about building a dream, after all .

 

[scuba steve]

When I started my tank I added 3 Pyramid butterflies, which often do well in reefs but mine went to town on my softies so they had to go.
I had a biota Regal angel for several years with no issues, same with a Goldflake Angel.
I'm the past I've usually had sucess with Bicolor angels and Coral beauties.

 

[anthony]

Copperband butterfly, flame angel, powder blue tang and midas blenney..