Copper Banded butterfly Does anyone have an opinion on these?
- Thread starter Angler02
- Start date
Beautiful fish that do a number on Aiptasia. Sometimes they can pick at polyps and clams. They will often not take to eating food and die of starvation. Other times they will be fine for a while, then all of a sudden die...they are a gamble but if eating and healthy can do great in captivity.
paulamrein
New member
I've had two, both eating when I got them, continued eating the whole time. They both sucumbed to ich, but if QT and eating, there is reports of it living for 10 years+. I myself am debating on trying a third one. Keep us updated you may give me the courage to try again. It's my wife's favorite fish next to the Morish Idol and there's no way on God's green earth that we will try one of those yet.
Reefer Wannabe
Premium Member
I failed with 2 of them. They are not good at getting food out of the water column, and are better at picking it out of holes, etc. They are also not too fast and may have trouble competing with the other fish for food. You might try sticking some frozen mysis down in the hole of a rock or a dead clam shell, etc. There are lots of threads and info out there about keeping them well fed. Good luck! My favorite fish...
Reefer Wannabe
Premium Member
Oh--use some selcon in your food also-- + I think they make a frozen food specifically for butterfly fish (I could be wrong here)--but in the wild, they eat lots of little clams, mussels, stuff like that, + anything they can stick their long nose into a rock and find. Like I said though, they're not used to picking it out of the water. (I read a TON about this when I got my 2nd one)
paulamrein
New member
I found the more I read about these guys the more mixed reveiws I get. There is definately something to be said where they come from as well. I know that the Muller butterfly (same markings only darker) seem to fair better, along with the cousin which I forget it's name (same appearance only not as many bands) both seem to do WAY better than the CBB. But, as with everything in this hobby, it's based on individual hobbyist and individual fish. No one should be able to tell you not to get it. Which none of us are. It's just the experiences we have had seem to not gleen positive. But collection has a huge part in it. I would be even willing to say order this one from the internet from a reputable dealer that says collection is from Austrailia and you would atleast have a better chance. Or go with a cousin. Look up the first part of it's latin name and all three will come up.
paulamrein
New member
You mentioned that, sorry I forgot. as long as you are doing everything right as far as husbandry, you are doing your part. Good luck.
Angler02
Active member
Here I am worried about the damn Copperbanded Butterfly and my Desjardin Sailfin croaks. I was having some temp issues though, for some reason my temp dropped from 78 degrees down to 75 in a matter of hours. I added another heater and now all is good. I'm not sure if the temp was his demise or just stress, he was new to the tank.
Angler02
Active member
I'm gonna hold off on fish for now though, soon I will be putting a tank in the wall so I will be moving everything. I think I may post a thread about it cause its gonna be some work to get it done, and I will have it in the wall directly under my flatscreen TV so should be interesting.
paulamrein
New member
My mom lives in Flo town so let me know if/when you need help.
paulamrein
New member
SAdly no, I guess when everyone else doesn't get on the forum for a while should I wait a few days before I call the authorities. Or should I just call poison control now? I'll PM you my stats.
