Copper Band Butterfly traits

[TooCurious]

Hello everyone! Not new to the reef but new to posting on it

I saw a show that was about the oceans. It had a part about a reef area with lots of fish including the Copper Band Butterfly. They said something about it being a spot where this humongous fish would come up from the depths to be cleaned there. The Copper Band Butterfly was helping to clean this fish of parasites and such!

What are some of the other known traits about them if any one knows?

Any speculations out there for why they are so hard to keep in our tanks? Like maybe we don't feed them enough worms?

 

[mantaray1201]

A Copperband Butterflies diet needed to sustain its health is more than we have to offer. Do not buy one.

 

[Paul B]

Any speculations out there for why they are so hard to keep in our tanks? Like maybe we don't feed them enough worms?

Yep, thats it. I have followed them in the sea and thats what they eat, and they eat them all day.
They are not a difficult fish you just need to feed them what they are supposed to eat.

 

[mflamb]

Go to the Reef Fish forum and near the top, there is a thread dedicated to the CBB.

 

[TooCurious]

Thanks for replying everyone.

I will check out that place.

I was at a Pet store last weekend and one of the guys there said they can't keep CBB's in more than a day or two because they are bought so fast. Have heard some say these fish should be on the banned fish list.

 

[64Ivy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14660437#post14660437 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TooCurious
Have heard some say these fish should be on the banned fish list.

...Which is like putting dogs on that list because they won't stay alive on a diet of tree bark and Pepsi.

Better idea is to create a Banned list for people too lazy to research their pets BEFORE purchase.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, I agree with 64Ivy. CBB are easy IF and ONLY IF, you feed them as they need to be fed. People buying them for aiptasia control are usually throwing away their money.

 

[TooCurious]

No, there are other ways to control Aiptasia than putting this beautiful fish's life at risk, IMO. I use kalk paste and syringe if they pop up.

I have only bought one fish I didn't research first and that was a Domino Damsel.

These fish are more than just a price tag to me. I want to take care of my pets so research comes with that.

I honestly can say I don't know where I stand on banned fish. I would have to research it better to give a honest opinion. However, I really have heard people say that CBB's should be.

I just couldn't believe that show that showed them helping to clean off the big fish. It was cool.

 

[Hal]

I've had my CBB for 2 years now. IMO, the secret is P.E. brand mysis shrimp.

 

[snorvich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14663742#post14663742 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hal
I've had my CBB for 2 years now. IMO, the secret is P.E. brand mysis shrimp.

For some, but not all. You got lucky but that experience is not necessarily repeatable.

 

[TooCurious]

But like what was said before, worms are a part of their natural diet. They still need worms even if given mysis. A part of their daily diet I think many forget about or don't know about. What else do you think is often forgotten?

 

[iamwrasseman]

i have had a few CBBs and finally have a resident that has been eating aptasia and any other meaty food that i put in front of him .i have had him for three years and switch him from tank to tank for aptasia controll and it has been working very well this way but i have enough tanks to always have some aptasia for him to eat .the only thing i dont enjoy is seeing him get ick almost every time i move him to a new tank .he has always been an ick magnet and with the slightest stress he has an outbreak for a few days then it goes away and all is fine .