Copperband Butterfly

[kevine6678]

I was thinking about getting a copperband butterfly for my fish only tank. I have read alot about how it is very hard to get them to start eating when first introduced to a new tank and that makes me very nerveous about getting one. I do have a veriety of foods already (omega one flakes and pellets, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp) and I have no problem going out and buying other foods that might be better suited for a cb butterfly.
What I was wondering is what are the best foods to try to feed copperband and are there any ways that I can help a new butterfly to eat? How often should I feed it also?

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by kevine6678
http:///forum/post/2944987
I was thinking about getting a copperband butterfly for my fish only tank. I have read alot about how it is very hard to get them to start eating when first introduced to a new tank and that makes me very nerveous about getting one. I do have a veriety of foods already (omega one flakes and pellets, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp) and I have no problem going out and buying other foods that might be better suited for a cb butterfly.
What I was wondering is what are the best foods to try to feed copperband and are there any ways that I can help a new butterfly to eat? How often should I feed it also?
How big a tank and what fish are you going to keep with the CB? IMO, the environment, rather than food choices is the biggest factor with these fish.

 

[kevine6678]

55 gal with about 45lb of lr, a oscellaris clown, a green chromis, a coral beauty, and some inverts.

 

[calvertbill]

Maybe I was just lucky but mine started devouring mysis on the first day. Now he picks shrimp morsels out of the Rod's food, mysis, and anything meaty I throw in there.
But it is a big tank.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by kevine6678
http:///forum/post/2945090
55 gal with about 45lb of lr, a oscellaris clown, a green chromis, a coral beauty, and some inverts.
These are ideal tankmates for a CB; they don't do well with aggressive, or even extremely active fish. IMO, a 55 is too small for a CB. But if this is going to be your last fish, you may be OK. Not ideal, but if you go ahead; Mysis is usually eaten as a first food, try some live brine if you can't get him to eat at all. Frozen formula I&II are also good. They are tough to get eating at first; but once established, will eat most foods. IME, they also really like frozen bloodworms, soaked in Selcon. They are carnivores, but should have some greens too. (Like Form II.)

 

[kevine6678]

Ok, sounds good. For the record, I am planning to upgarde to a larger tank some time in the future so it won't be confined to just 55 gallons forever. I might still chicken out and go with an easier fish to keep, who knows.

 

[crypt keeper]

Originally Posted by kevine6678
http:///forum/post/2945615
Ok, sounds good. For the record, I am planning to upgarde to a larger tank some time in the future so it won't be confined to just 55 gallons forever. I might still chicken out and go with an easier fish to keep, who knows.

I would. It help build the ego and then as you go along find harder fish to care for.

 

[aquaknight]

I honestly don't think a 55gal is the worst thing in the world for a Copperband. The problem is that it would have to be an 'proper' 55gal, and by that, I mean it would have to have seriously more live rock. 46lbs. is way under, a minimum of 80-90 pounds IMHO, and the second part is an established tank, minimum 6 months running.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by kevine6678
http:///forum/post/2945615
Ok, sounds good. For the record, I am planning to upgarde to a larger tank some time in the future so it won't be confined to just 55 gallons forever. I might still chicken out and go with an easier fish to keep, who knows.
Good idea; if you like the CB, you might try a yellow longnose. They are much tougher than they look. But, I'd wait until you upgrade.