Copper Banded Butterfly help

[camsc69]

I have a CBB in my tank I picked up a few weeks ago. She has been doing great and appeared to be grazing on the live rock. Yesterday I noticed she was hiding a bit more. Today even more and she looks pretty skinny. I have plenty of aptaisia in the tank and I feed mysis, brine, flakes, and pellets. I've been unable to get her to eat anything I feed her. I thought she was getting enough nourishment from the grazing but I am afraid she is not doing well. I was hoping someone may have some suggestions to help me get her to eat. I don't want to lose her.

Thanks!!!
Bruce

 

[SDguy]

Are there any tankmates outcompeting her for food? Can you get some live blackworms at a LFS? those usually get them started.

 

[camsc69]

Not really, she's with a clown, yellow watchman goby, and a couple mollies. When I feed she doesn't even react.

 

[SDguy]

CBB are difficult fish. They are best started in a QT, where they can be treated for any disease, as well as acclimated to eating in captivity.

 

[camsc69]

Thanks for your inputs. The guy I bought her from said that she was eating and she's been picking at my rocks for the last few weeks. She just looks really thin and lethargic. :-( Gonna have my wife pick up some live blackworms today and we'll try that.

 

[Blitzburggirl]

My CBB also likes Rod's food, and.....

Some people say to take a clam shell (bad idea if you have clams) and make a seafood mush of raw shrimp, scallop, clam, (other things if you find them) and put it on the shell. Freeze it (to kill any bad stuff) and then defrost it. The CBB may find that interesting. Mine didn't LOL Mine LOVES very small raw pieces of shrimp. My fish was super shy at first (I did QT him in a 12 gallon alone for 3 months before putting him in my 180) but now he's a puppy dog. Even after QT/food training for 3 months, when I put him in the reef, he was scared of his own shadow, and I was a bit worried. Now, he'll go up to the food when I drop it in with no problem. I would be concerned he's being out competed.

One other suggestion.... A seafood mush, put in some sort of a strainer (I used a small eyedrop type bottle with small holes poked in it, that only he can get to (he has a pointy snout and likes to pick for a reason, that's in natural feeding method.)

I wish you the best.

 

[snorvich]

Clams on the half shell, live blackworms are the best chances. Some, however, never eat in captivity. In any case, not all of them eat aiptasia.

 

[chimmike]

I got the frozen 50/50 mix yesterday and my new CBB ate one of the bloodworms in it. I've ordered blackworms myself and will be trying them.

I also found that the mysis and shrimp that come in those frozen cubes might be too big for it to be interested in right now, so I'm tempted to dice 'em up smaller. (the things we do for fish)

 

[snorvich]

I also found that the mysis and shrimp that come in those frozen cubes might be too big for it to be interested in right now, so I'm tempted to dice 'em up smaller. (the things we do for fish)

Blenders work wonders (unless you have a significant other who prohibits this). Just don't let the mixture get hot.

 

[Blitzburggirl]

I bought a little itty bitty chopper at target for 8 bucks. That's my fishy food blender It's small enough I don't have to make huge batches, so it stays fresh Annnnnnd I'd be the significant other that would say no way to using the pina colada blender

 

[chimmike]

I bought a little itty bitty chopper at target for 8 bucks. That's my fishy food blender It's small enough I don't have to make huge batches, so it stays fresh Annnnnnd I'd be the significant other that would say no way to using the pina colada blender

That's a good idea, because I'm not fond of the idea of thawing all the cubes and tossing them in the same blender I use to make my whiskey sours. Ain't gonna serve no whiskey sour with a spare bloodworm, hahaha

 

[SDguy]

Taking frozen shrimp and scallop to a cheese grater also works well.

 

[snorvich]

I bought a little itty bitty chopper at target for 8 bucks. That's my fishy food blender It's small enough I don't have to make huge batches, so it stays fresh Annnnnnd I'd be the significant other that would say no way to using the pina colada blender

Yeah, I knew there were some of "those" significant others around. :inlove: But the suggestion to get around this difficulty is a good one.

 

[snorvich]

Taking frozen shrimp and scallop to a cheese grater also works well.

Yes, indeed. I use Roggers Food that way for my anthias.