butterflies in reefs
- Thread starter LemonLemon
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LemonLemon
New member
jake - i feed my copperbands mysis and other meaty seafood. they have a difficult time learning to eat pellets and flakes, but not impossible.
sweetrav - marginalis and copperbands are nearly identical in behaviour. but marginalis butterflies, from my experience, are easier and feed more aggressively. they are peaceful and super reef safe. none of mine ever ate any corals. just tube worms.
update on my paucifasciatus butterflies pair. they're still alive and feeding very well on mysis and pellets. i will get to see them in 16 days!
sweetrav - marginalis and copperbands are nearly identical in behaviour. but marginalis butterflies, from my experience, are easier and feed more aggressively. they are peaceful and super reef safe. none of mine ever ate any corals. just tube worms.
update on my paucifasciatus butterflies pair. they're still alive and feeding very well on mysis and pellets. i will get to see them in 16 days!
I didn't read though this whole thread but I can say having a butterfly in the tank is awesome. I got my CBB from a fellow RC member a few months ago and he (knock on wood) has been a great benefit to my tank. I had a serious aiptasia problem - he took care of that in just a few weeks and is now consistently eating mysis and brine. He is the most admired fish in the tank and he has even endured a serious ich infection (where his eyes were clouded over). This guy is a trooper!
My tank is full of LPS, Zoos and some SPS and I have not noticed any adverse feeding behaviors.
Here is a recent photo:
My tank is full of LPS, Zoos and some SPS and I have not noticed any adverse feeding behaviors.
Here is a recent photo:
Last edited:
jcw
Active member
GREAT NEWS! What beautiful fish. I saw them on GBD and your thread.
There's a declivis on DD.
my tank is fallow.I'd love one of those or a marginalis.
gasman059
The OG mad scientist
With exceptions off course-- b-flys are worthy of any reef if they can be tolerated.
i've had tons more problems with large angels in this lifetime than with butterflies.
My experience--- declivis/mitratus and recently this two( about a week into them in my reef) so far my blueface does wayyyy more damage than this two beauts. BTW one of them seems to be lagging in terms of eating prepared food will c.
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i've had tons more problems with large angels in this lifetime than with butterflies.
My experience--- declivis/mitratus and recently this two( about a week into them in my reef) so far my blueface does wayyyy more damage than this two beauts. BTW one of them seems to be lagging in terms of eating prepared food will c.
LemonLemon
New member
GORGEOUS pair of C. mertensii!
the yellow is outrageous! i've a pair of Paucifasciatus and i want a pair of C. mertensii also but i don't know if my tank size is big enough and how they'll play out..
the yellow is outrageous! i've a pair of Paucifasciatus and i want a pair of C. mertensii also but i don't know if my tank size is big enough and how they'll play out..
gasman059
The OG mad scientist
thx they are truly beautiful--After QT one is not doing so well while the other is thriving- its a wait and c, no signs of agression while eating but certainly one is a little slower.
LemonLemon
New member
they both look marvelous though. i wouldn't worry if i were you.
butterflies can be tricky at times. perhaps it will take prepared foods with gusto soon.
pearlscales are definitely not the safest butterflies but it's worth the risk IMO. they're just too beautiful
butterflies can be tricky at times. perhaps it will take prepared foods with gusto soon.
pearlscales are definitely not the safest butterflies but it's worth the risk IMO. they're just too beautiful
gasman059
The OG mad scientist
all buterflies are safe LOL---well not all but whoe needs polyp extension.
Tell that to my massive blueface when get a grip of a stress coral :hammer:
Take care!
LemonLemon
New member
haha nice one there gasman.
anyway updates on my paucifasciatus pair! both are eating pellets and frozen food greedily.
anyway updates on my paucifasciatus pair! both are eating pellets and frozen food greedily.
twiggyb
Active member
You should come check out the SLASH club forum on rc if you haven't already!
Sorry my updates have been a bit lacking 
The yellow longnose continues to thrive in the reef without issue. Doesn't touch any corals. The saddleback had a bit of a rough time. The tangs definitely decided two butterflies was one too many. However, I think the fact that this was a very well established butterfly helped him hold his own. The tangs are calming down. He eats like a champ. He's tried several corals, but doesn't seem to really like any, and hasn't gone back for seconds. Acros he will nip, but not more than an occasional nip. Not even enough to reduce PE. Of course, time will tell if this changes.
The yellow longnose continues to thrive in the reef without issue. Doesn't touch any corals. The saddleback had a bit of a rough time. The tangs definitely decided two butterflies was one too many. However, I think the fact that this was a very well established butterfly helped him hold his own. The tangs are calming down. He eats like a champ. He's tried several corals, but doesn't seem to really like any, and hasn't gone back for seconds. Acros he will nip, but not more than an occasional nip. Not even enough to reduce PE. Of course, time will tell if this changes.
LemonLemon
New member
it's been almost more than 2 weeks since the paucifasciatus arrived and i've still not seen them personally since i'm still in China for my 6 weeks attachment.
but i'll be back the next week on the 16th and then i'll be finally able to see them and update more on their status.
Peter- good to hear the thriving longnose and the saddleback somewhat behaving itself. butterflies and angels are playful and distractions in the tank like other fishes and other stuff will help keep them distracted and reduce their curiosity to pick on corals.
but i'll be back the next week on the 16th and then i'll be finally able to see them and update more on their status.
Peter- good to hear the thriving longnose and the saddleback somewhat behaving itself. butterflies and angels are playful and distractions in the tank like other fishes and other stuff will help keep them distracted and reduce their curiosity to pick on corals.
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