Copperband Butterflies

[pookstreet]

Who keeps one in their reef tank? I really like the way they look and would like to add one to my 300. Who has experience with them? I know they help with aiptasia so that's a plus. Other than that, has anyone had problems with them nipping at corals? What do they like to eat, etc? Thanks.

 

[rmor]

+1 on this, I really want to get one. I always read about people saying they can eat coral but it seems like everybody who actually has one, has had pretty good luck with it eating aiptasia and not messing with coral. From the research I have recently done, it is good to get them eating on live blackworms first and then mysis and a grocery store clam here and there. It seems like the biggest concern is getting them to eat and keeping them alive.

 

[bigian]

Mine wiped out 30+ aptasia. After that he started eating Mysis. I dad to buy 2-3 before I could find one that would eat anything I would feed it it...

Also a bitchin lookin fish. Not too many reef fish have those silver/metallic scales... Go for it, Kenny... Maybe you'll get lucky on the 1st try!!

 

[pookstreet]

Sounds good Ian. I would still like to hear from others if they've had problems with this fish nipping at corals at all. I totally agree. I love the way this fish looks, not just it's ability to take care of aiptasia, which is a bonus. I mainly want to get one because I really like it.

 

[dfladermaus]

i have never gotten one to live...so good luck. i gave up on them

P

 

[pookstreet]

So you know why yours died?

 

[Photobret]

I got mine to eat mysis, made sure it was eating at the store. Got it home and put it in my holding tank to see if it would eat zoas or LPS. No worries there as it left them alone. Completely eradicated the worst case of aptasia, huge anemone's that would have eaten a fish no worries. +1 on a great fish.

 

[dfladermaus]

So you know why yours died?

They would eat, but never get fat. I know that one died from aggression (my sohal is mean as crap), but for the most part they never really adapted to aquarium life. I have never gotten one that eats mysis, i have typically had to feed blood worms to get them to eat and then wean them onto frozen.

I just bought a burgess instead, hardy fish, tough as nails, great personality and it eats all the aptasia in the tank, so Im happy. I personally do not think that CBs should be in the hobby, their survival rate from wholesale to retail is awful.

 

[dc_909]

I have had mine for a couple months now and he ate ALL my aiptasia & tube worms in 2 nights. He eats frozen food also.

I think he was the culprit for this, but I'm really not sure if he was picking the healthy flesh or dieing flesh.

 

[therapy]

Anyone keep a copperband long term ? 5 + years. Seems like all the ones I know of die in a year or 2.

 

[therapy]

I had two copperbands. When I got a bad infection in my tank, they where the first to die and die fast !

 

[pookstreet]

DC, thanks for the info. That's the reason why I wanted to know if anyone has seen them nipping at corals. I wonder if they would even touch the corals if they were well fed. But I guess getting them to eat sounds like an issue.


Sorry to hear that therapy. What kind of infection was it?

 

[Duddly]

On Sept. 7th I will have had mine for 1 year. Great personably fish always out to greet me. I made sure he ate before I left the store. There were a bunch that didn't, that is the one thing to watch out for. Mine eats pe mysis like crazy. The tube worms were cleared out of my tank in less than an hour and he keeps the aiptasia that he can get to under control. Any that doesn't happen to grow within my Clarkii clowns territory that is. :evil:

 

[sps_addict]

i've had mine for about 2 years (2 years sept 10) and is approx 6", he cleared out the aiptasia's, hasn't touched my coco worms i've had for 2 years as well. eat's live black worms (doesn't eat brine) and occasionally nips at zoanthids.

 

[pookstreet]

Good to hear guys.

Duddly - have you had problems with yours nipping at corals?

 

[Duddly]

Good to hear guys.

Duddly - have you had problems with yours nipping at corals?

No. I have zoas, mushrooms, frogspawn, hammer, lemnalia and a fox coral. Eats like a pig at feeding so probably keeping well fed is helping.

 

[pookstreet]

Well, looks like I may just give this beautiful fish a shot. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[rmor]

Me too, I am going to try it out also. I just set up my QT today to start cycling the new biowheel.
Pookstreet- Do you already know where/who you are going to buy it from?

 

[pookstreet]

Not yet. I'll be checking out some LFS around here.

 

[johnwin84]

Ron at Total Tropical had 2 on Sunday...