Common name
African butterflyfish
Scientific name
Pantodon buchholzi
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
African butterflyfishes
Environment
Freshwater aquarium
Origin
West and Central African swamps, creeks, backwaters and slow river margins, including parts of the Congo basin
Care level
Advanced
Adult size
Up to about 12 cm total length in wild records; aquarium fish may approach 15 cm
Expected lifespan
A dependable species-specific maximum was not located; plan for 5–8 years of specialist surface-predator care.
Minimum housing
At least 180 L with a broad 100 cm or longer surface footprint and a tightly sealed lid
Temperature
23–30 °C
pH
Unknown — generally maintained in stable slightly acidic to neutral freshwater
Hardness / minerals
Unknown — generally reported from soft water; no dependable numeric range located
Salinity
Freshwater; 0 ppt routine salinity
Lighting
Subdued, preferably with floating cover
Placement / zone
Surface water
Filtration
Use mature filtration with guarded intakes and low disturbance across the main surface zone. Process protein-rich foods effectively while keeping a broad calm surface and a completely sealed lid.
Aeration
Maintain good gas exchange without breaking the entire surface into strong turbulence. The fish breathes air but still requires clean oxygenated water and an unobstructed air space beneath the lid.
Maintenance
Remove uneaten insects and animal food, clean prefilters, perform regular water changes, inspect every lid gap and confirm that each fish is feeding without surface competition.

Identity and search names

Single-species profile for Pantodon buchholzi. Preserve permanent AquaNexus ID 12, slug african-butterflyfish and route species/african-butterflyfish/index.html; retain former combinations, locality labels and trade names only as searchable aliases.

Search names: freshwater butterflyfish

Environment and housing

Use a long, wide and tightly covered aquarium with calm surface areas, floating cover, open air access and no gaps around equipment.

Social structure: Keep one, a compatible pair, or a carefully observed group only where very large surface area prevents territorial crowding

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Surface insects, crustaceans and other animal prey; may take floating prepared foods after conditioning

Feeding routine: One or two measured surface feeds daily

Breeding, reproduction or spread

Internally inseminated; the female releases buoyant eggs that float at the surface, with reported clutches of roughly 80–220 eggs

Parental care: No brood care after egg release

Detailed care and app-ready planning

Identity scope
Single-species profile for Pantodon buchholzi. Preserve permanent AquaNexus ID 12, slug african-butterflyfish and route species/african-butterflyfish/index.html; retain former combinations, locality labels and trade names only as searchable aliases.
Adult size and space
Expected adult size: Up to about 12 cm total length in wild records; aquarium fish may approach 15 cm. Minimum permanent housing: At least 180 L with a broad 100 cm or longer surface footprint and a tightly sealed lid. Plan around adult dimensions, activity, social structure, aggression, oxygen demand and waste production rather than sale size.
Social structure
Keep one, a compatible pair, or a carefully observed group only where very large surface area prevents territorial crowding
Swimming zone or placement
Primary zone: Surface water. Keep that zone usable for movement, feeding, refuge and escape.
Feeding ecology
Surface insects, crustaceans and other animal prey; may take floating prepared foods after conditioning
Feeding plan
One or two measured surface feeds daily
Water stability
Maintain 23–30 °C; pH Unknown — generally maintained in stable slightly acidic to neutral freshwater; hardness or minerals: Unknown — generally reported from soft water; no dependable numeric range located; salinity: Freshwater; 0 ppt routine salinity. Stable oxygenation and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact value.
Habitat structure
Use a long, wide and tightly covered aquarium with calm surface areas, floating cover, open air access and no gaps around equipment.
Compatibility plan
Avoid fish small enough to swallow and active surface feeders that compete or trigger jumping.
Breeding or reproduction plan
Internally inseminated; the female releases buoyant eggs that float at the surface, with reported clutches of roughly 80–220 eggs Parental care: No brood care after egg release.
Quarantine
Quarantine new livestock in a separate cycled system for at least 30 days. Observe appetite, respiration, waste, skin, fins and behaviour; use dedicated equipment and never add transport water to the established aquarium.
Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding, and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. This obligate air-breathing surface predator is a powerful ballistic jumper. Every lid and cable gap must be sealed while preserving warm humid air access.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.
Main risk
This obligate air-breathing surface predator is a powerful ballistic jumper. Every lid and cable gap must be sealed while preserving warm humid air access.
Adult projected load
Protein-rich feeding and a broad low-flow surface footprint create a moderate biological load with limited room for turbulent equipment. Size filtration for adult predators while preserving calm access to air.
Filtration
Use mature filtration with guarded intakes and low disturbance across the main surface zone. Process protein-rich foods effectively while keeping a broad calm surface and a completely sealed lid.
Aeration
Maintain good gas exchange without breaking the entire surface into strong turbulence. The fish breathes air but still requires clean oxygenated water and an unobstructed air space beneath the lid.
Maintenance
Remove uneaten insects and animal food, clean prefilters, perform regular water changes, inspect every lid gap and confirm that each fish is feeding without surface competition.
Overridable warnings
Non-overridable: use a tightly sealed lid, broad calm surface, unobstructed air access and prey-safe tankmates. A user may vary tank shape or flow equipment only when escape prevention, surface access, feeding and water quality remain fully protected.

Compatibility, welfare and risk

Compatibility: Not applicable

Welfare: Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding, and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. This obligate air-breathing surface predator is a powerful ballistic jumper. Every lid and cable gap must be sealed while preserving warm humid air access.

Main warning: This obligate air-breathing surface predator is a powerful ballistic jumper. Every lid and cable gap must be sealed while preserving warm humid air access.

Biosecurity and release

Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.

Sources