Copper Banded Butterfly with Powder Brown

[duane9]

I have a problem getting rid of apitasia in my 75 gal reef DT. I've tried peppermint shrimp, three tries with Berghia with no results, except for more apitasia. I just added the CBB only to have my white cheeked powder brown harassed it, nipping its fins, chasing it, etc. After an hour or so I caught the PB and sentenced it to my refug until I can figure out what to do next.

I've read on here about doing a black out for a few days, re-arrange the rocks, then re-introduce the PB; another opinion was leaving lights on, extra feeding, another suggestion was a mirror for the PB.

I have a large maroon clown that has been buddies with the PB for a couple of years, often sleeping in the same little cave. The maroon ducked for cover while the PB chased the newly added CBB.

Anyone have any success with this combination or suggestions on how to acclimate them so everyone will get along; or is it hopeless and someone has to go?

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

It can be done. I have a copperband with a powder blue.

I would keep the pb in the fuge for a week to let the copperband settle in, rearrange the rock, put a mirror on the side of the tank, and then introduce the pb and feed.

Hopefully, you quarantined the copperband so it is settled into aquarium life.

 

[duane9]

Thanks, what about the lights, off or on. In the mean time should I feed the pb in the fuge and feed the maroon. I wasn't going to feed the anyone until I was sure that the CBB was eating the target apitasia, then feed like normal.

 

[duane9]

Where would the mirror go? In the tank or taped to the outside?

 

[MrTuskfish]

As a rule, CBBs do not fare well with aggression toward them or even in a tank with very active fish. You may get lucky, but have a plan B. CBBs thrive when things are quiet and peaceful, not a fish for most active tanks. I would expect the maroon to go after him too. These fish in a 75 gal tank really compound the problem. Crowded tank + aggressive fish= mayhem.

 

[knight2255]

The mirror trick worked for me, had a little chasing from the yellow tang but they started getting along after a day or 2. I also have a powder blue and he couldn't care less about the CBB.

 

[orangegoby]

As a rule, CBBs do not fare well with aggression toward them or even in a tank with very active fish. You may get lucky, but have a plan B. CBBs thrive when things are quiet and peaceful, ...These fish in a 75 gal tank really compound the problem. Crowded tank + aggressive fish= mayhem.

I agree.

 

[duane9]

So far things are real peaceful between the maroon clown and the CBB. THe maroon seems to have no interest in the CBB. I still have the PB in time out in the fuge. I'm going to try rearranging the rocks later. The CBB is eating from the rocks but not after the apitasia yet.

 

[Tracey2]

Do you have room in your fuge for a cricket box? Only feed PB in the box until he loves the box then move him in his box to the DT after he has had time to see copperband swim by him many times and when you feel comfortable release him but leave the box in the tank and only feed him in the box so that you can easily remove him again if needed, repeat until he is a good boy.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

Where would the mirror go? In the tank or taped to the outside?

Tape it to the outside. I put it on the end of the tank.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

Thanks, what about the lights, off or on. In the mean time should I feed the pb in the fuge and feed the maroon. I wasn't going to feed the anyone until I was sure that the CBB was eating the target apitasia, then feed like normal.

You can feed normally as the cbb probably won't take to prepared foods right away.

Lights out at introduction can help. Just be sure to watch for problems.