Pentapodus setosus

Datasheet

General Description:

The Butterfly Whiptail (Pentapodus setosus) belongs to the Nemipteridae family, specifically Nemipteridae - Pentapodus. Native to the Western Central Pacific region, including countries like the Philippines, South China Sea, Singapore, and Indonesia, these fish are often overlooked by aquarists despite their attractiveness and interesting characteristics. They can grow up to a maximum size of 18.0cm and are known for their striking appearance, especially against a dark substrate.

Aquarium Suitability:

Considered suitable for aquariums with care, Butterfly Whiptails (Pentapodus setosus) demand specific conditions to thrive. They are known to be average in hardiness and require a minimum tank size of 600 liters to accommodate their need for swimming space. It's important to note that these fish do best when housed alone due to their potential threat towards small crustaceans and fish.

Care and Hardiness:

Butterfly Whiptails are relatively hardy but have specific care requirements. They need good hiding spots, such as between live rocks, and may initially exhibit shyness when introduced into a new tank. Frequent feeding, multiple times a day, is crucial, especially during the acclimatization period. Providing a varied diet and live food options will enhance their chances of thriving in captivity.

Reef Suitability:

Considered reef safe with caution, Butterfly Whiptails should be housed in reef aquariums carefully. Their behavior towards crustaceans, invertebrates, and small fish makes it necessary to monitor their interactions closely in a reef environment.

Aquarium Setup:

Setting up an aquarium for Butterfly Whiptails involves providing ample swimming space, hiding spots, and a dark substrate to enhance their appearance. Ensuring a stable water temperature between 22.2-25.6°C, pH levels of 8.1-8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025 is essential for their well-being.

Behaviour:

These fish are mostly peaceful but can display aggression towards similar species. They tend to forage through sand for food, potentially clouding the water and disrupting detritus. Establishing a feeding routine and recognizing their bottom-feeding behavior are crucial for their overall behavior in captivity.

Feeding and Diet:

Butterfly Whiptails require a varied diet consisting of fish, larger crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, other invertebrates, small crustaceans such as krill and mysis, and zooplankton like Cyclops and pods. Ensuring they receive the appropriate nutrition multiple times a day is key to their health and vitality.

Dimorphism and Captive Reproduction:

There is no specific information available regarding dimorphism and captive reproduction for Butterfly Whiptails in the provided data.

Habitat and Distribution:

In their natural habitat, Butterfly Whiptails are found in the Mexican Gulf and various regions across the Western Central Pacific. They prefer sandy bottoms with access to hiding spots, which should be replicated in aquarium setups to mimic their natural environment.