I was thinking about getting a coperband butterfly for my 56 gal I have 2 black clowns a prizim hang on protein skimmer 2 canister filters coral (zoas candy cane,mushrooms, star polyps, and a toadstool) is this fish reef safe? I heard it nips at zoas? Is it prone to ich? Is it delicate or hardy? Will it mix with my fish? How temperamental is it? Just need basic information.
Coperband butterfly?
- Thread starter holley123
- Start date
Very delicate fish. I am 0 and 2 with CBB. Had one for almost a year and lost it to a Flatworm treatment in my tank. The other got too close to my vortec.
I never had any trouble with coral nipping.
Seems the key to keeping this fish healthy is a very consistent feeding schedule. They are picky eaters and must be fed often to be sustained.
One of my favorite fish!
I never had any trouble with coral nipping.
Seems the key to keeping this fish healthy is a very consistent feeding schedule. They are picky eaters and must be fed often to be sustained.
One of my favorite fish!
PE was a favorite for sure...and was a staple.
I would thaw a batch of various frozen goodies and incorporate some pellets and feed with a turkey baster. He enjoyed sticking his snout up the baster for food. Guess it was more natural for him.
...I never thought PE was high in fat. Just high in protein.
If you can get the dang thing to eat to begin with. Mine ate when he left the store - I bought the exact same food they fed and tried when he got into my tank - wouldn't eat. Lasted about 3 weeks and woke up one morning with him stuck to my powerhead
One of my favorite fish. If you're hung up on getting one I'd give it a shot and, if it doesn't survive, I'd suggest not getting another..
Also - make sure it eats before you buy it.. very very important but not guaranteed it'll eat in your tank. Stupid fish
combsatl;728019 wrote: stupid fish
lol!
Thats hilarious!!!
The one I had the longest we affectionatly named "Dumb Dumb". As we were trying to get the fish to eat the first few weeks i would offer lots of frozen goodies. Food would be plentiful and all the other fish would frenzy eating like crazy. Dumb Dumb would just idle around as if he had no clue. Food would fall right in front of him and he would do nothing.
A stupid fish to be certain
That is the exact same experience I had... I'm pretty sure some of the mysis I put in the tank literally hit my version of 'dumb dumb' on its nose and it didn't even do anything. I tried EVERYTHING.. black worms, mysis, brine, 'angel mix', etc - all SOAKED in garlic.. absolutely nothing. Stupid thing wouldn't even eat the awesome SPS I had in the tank..
That said.. I think I'm going to call my deceased CB 'Lloyd' after Lloyd Christmas from Dumb and Dumber.. maybe my next will be Harry.. but I'm hoping not..
You know.. I've seen some vids of aquariums with paired CB's and they're just so awesome.. majestic even.. I hope that someday I'm able to get one that eats... I will definitely try them again in the future.
There is one at all reef 2. It's the one I'm gonna get he's been there for about 2 weeks and I watched him eat and he ate fine. Then again that was in like a 20 gallon and there was food right in front of him so I'm worried that he won't eat. My brother has a 20 gallon tank should I put him in that to make sure he's gonna eat? (basically like a qt tank)
I think it's a crapshoot.. to be honest. Either he will or he won't. Best suggestion I can offer is get the same food they feed at the fish store. Then, when you feed at home, turn off your power heads and make sure some of the food makes its way near the CB. Again - such cool fish.. just wish thy weren't so flaky.
Yea that's how I usually do my feelings for the new fish. And it seems like all the cool fish are delicate :/ so unfortunate. For example morish idol lol. And have any of your cb ever gotten ich? I've keep a tang alive so I'm pretty good at treating for it lol
They are def delicate fish. They are generally considered reef safe, but they can make mistakes just like many reef safe fish. They are very prone to having issues with their snout. They ship horribly as a rule and often get their snout damaged. It is a slow starvation death from there. Best bet is to make sure it is interested and eating well before buying. Also recommend QT to condition the fish and fatten them up before plopping them into the DT to try and fend with the other fish that have already set up territories and aggressive feeding habits. PE mysis is def the best food to feed them. If you can supplement it with vitamins and some HUFAs........even better.
