tank size?

[scotty]

well i have my 125 set up and now the wife wants to set up a tank of her own , we saw an african butterfly at the LFS and she wants one
how big do these guys get ? the guy from the LFS says only 3" but this is the same guy i overheard tell someone a 75G was big enough for a red tailed cat ...lol so i take every thing this guys says as fact!!!.....lmao
what size tank ? we have a 20g long (36"x 13" x 13") is this big enough ? if not i will have to buy another tank Dang!! ...lol because we will have one of these fish cause the boss wants one \
from what little i could find to read on them it says they are surface dwellers so whatwould be some good tank mates for this guy ? and any other info you think i might need ...
any input will be greatly appreciated

[Dave66]

They reach five inches, scotty. Care information is in my oddball primer in the 'other species' forum.

Dave

[Northernguy]

Here is more info on them.
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/cichlid/butterfly.php

[Crispy]

I believe they are related to the arowana... I know they're a SA fish and like an undisturbed surface. They love picking off bugs from the top of the water. Due to their finnage, no fin nippers!!

[toddnbecka]

They prefer very little water movement and plenty of floating plants for cover. They are also quite prone to jumping out of the tank, so keep it completely covered at all times.
As for tankmates, avoid anything small enough to fit into the trap door they have for a mouth. Also avoid Leporinus, I had one eat an African butterly fish once.

[fishbum]

we have a 20g long (36"x 13" x 13") is this big enough?
Check your measurements.20 longs are 30x12x12.
3 foot tanks are usually 30 gallons.

[scotty]

iot is a 30 g long that was a typo ...lol