Caribbean Longnose Butterfly. Prognathodes aculeatus, Care and Compatibility  7/10/07
I am considering buying a Caribbean Longnose Butterflyfish (Prognathodes aculeatus)
<Delicate but not impossible.>
it is small just under 2" inches long and eating well.
<A little smaller than I prefer, how long has he/she been in captivity?>
I have read many differing reports on how reef safe these are some say it eats soft coral polyps other saying Hard corals.
<Is a generalized omnivore, so there is some risk present.>
I only have 2 Hard corals (candy cane & frogspawn) but have Toadstool and Pussy and other common soft coral Could you please give me your opinion on how safe you think this fish would be with these corals.
<The noxious soft corals are likely safe, I would keep an eye on the others.>
Many thanks Graham
<Adam J.>

Anthony's Query to Aquarist at Scripps re: Scythe/falcifer BF keeping 
I'm a friend of Bobs and think I've had the pleasure of meeting you at Scripps while visiting a couple of years back.  If you have the time, I'm looking for a bit of  guidance on the keeping of Scythe (falcifer) butterfly fishes on the chance that I acquire one in the future for a Cortez biotope display.  Do you have any tips or observations/quirks about the keeping of this species you might be able to share. Or perhaps any favorite papers or references to pertaining info?  Thanks kindly for you time.  
Anthony Calfo
<Hi Anthony,
It was good meeting you when you stopped by in San Diego.  The Falcifer B'fly is one of the easier b'flys I've worked with. The only drawback is that they seem to do best in cooler water (65 F). We maintain ours between 58-64 all year round. We have some on display now for about 9 years. I don't know how well they would do in warmer, tropical water. I know they are found as far down as the tip of Baja, Mex. but at about 150-300 ft deep where, of course, the water is cooler.  Other than this they acclimate to aquarium life beautifully. We usually quarantine them with 3 formalin baths spread 3 days apart. We treat at 1ml/gal and then we have them on copper for 2-3 more weeks. They handle all of this really well.
They eat everything we offer them. They love Mysis shrimp, live black worms, squid tentacles. We also offer them chopped clams and krill.  We've had good luck keeping two in one tank (2,000 gal). I believe we have a pair. They like caves to retreat to but will stay out in open most of the time. They become tame pretty quick. 
I hope this helps and please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Best Regards, Fernando
P.S. Hi Bob!>

Marine World Magazine (and BF pic)
Hi Bob
<Hello Vincent>
I am glad that you are on the team of writers for Marine World Magazine. I
have just finished checking your article through on the Harlequin Tuskfish.  It
is very good! Professionals, such as Bob Goemans and yourself, make my job of
correcting submitted articles a lot easier.
<Am glad to provide decent content. Please do make known your suggestions for improvement>
Some time ago I noted that you did not have a photo of Prognathodes aya on
your web site.  Did you manage to get one?  If not, I have an image that you can
use.  
<Thank you, yes. Have just checked my files, and do not have a pic of this animal. Will gratefully acknowledge you as photographer/provider>
Regards and best wishes
Vincent B. Hargreaves
<Again, thank you. Bob Fenner>

Re: Prognathodes aya
Hi Bob
<Vincent>
Attached is an image (81kb) of Prognathodes aya for you to use on your web
site.
<Thank you. Will post on the morrow>
I have about 20,000 other images some of which might be of species that you
need for your web site.  A small part of these are on my web site: <A HREF="http://www.livingreefimages.com">
www.livingreefimages.com</A> that you may be familiar with, since it has been on the Internet
for over 5 years.  
<Very nice. I do like your format>
I wanted to send you a signed copy of my latest book, but unfortunately it is
sold out at the moment (after only 8 months) and I will have to wait for the
reprint, which should be finished at the end of this month.  I would need your
address though to send it.
Regards,
Vincent
<Outstanding. Our address: 8586 Menkar Rd., San Diego, CA 92126. Do you have a copy of Anthony Calfo and I's latest effort, "Natural Marine Aquariums, Reef Invertebrates"? Will send one along if you're interested. Bob Fenner>