Copper banded butterfly

[whitetail187]

I bought a copper banded butterfly a couple days ago from my LFS and it's not eating. I called them up and they said they can be finicky eaters. I asked them if I could switch it out for a smaller one thinking it would be easier to acclimate. They said I could bring it back for store credit but it wouldn't be full price. I've tried frozen reef food which is a mixture of things that my other fish love.don't have anywhere local to buy live food. anybody have any ideas? He has calmed down quite a bit but when I open the tank he gets all skittish again.

 

[tc2007]

There are several threads on this. Most people use clams from the grocery store. After a while they can be acclimated to frozen food.

 

[OrionN]

They are not easy to keep. If you have a large tank, no other fish bother them and have a healthy large population of worms in the sand bed, they will transition to your tank easier. If the tank is sterile, they will starve to death. Smaller specimen will starve even faster.

 

[HumbleFish]

There are several threads on this. Most people use clams from the grocery store. After a while they can be acclimated to frozen food.

+1 Littleneck clams from the grocery. Or try live blackworms, live or frozen brine, mysis, etc. Sometimes they'll also eat aiptasia if you have a rock with that on it.

I've been thru 3 of the damn things now. They all starve to death in QT. :angryfire:

 

[Hodge Podge]

Mine would only eat mysis and pods off of the live rock. Very picky.

 

[ChrisKirkland]

+1 Littleneck clams from the grocery. Or try live blackworms, live or frozen brine, mysis, etc. Sometimes they'll also eat aiptasia if you have a rock with that on it.

I've been thru 3 of the damn things now. They all starve to death in QT. :angryfire:

This is why I bought mine for LiveAquaria Divers Den. Mine eat like a champ.

 

[HumbleFish]

This is why I bought mine for LiveAquaria Divers Den. Mine eat like a champ.

One was a LA specimen, but not a DD. I'll keep a lookout for a DD specimen (never seen a regular CBB on there).

 

[richfavinger]

Copper banded butterfly

Not to pop bubbles but my DD CBB lasted 8 months, and was eating too... but I guess not enough.

Copperband Butterfly Primer
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1492696

 

[knight2255]

Cutting up frozen clam into little bite sized pcs with a razor blade worked for me....could probably use oysters just as well and save yourself the trouble of having to crack open the clams

 

[thenewguy997]

Try anything 'natural'

Ex. Live shrimp, worms, clams.. Etc


Also ive found smaller food works better and having the lights off

 

[Lord_Spice]

I got lucky I guess mine eats pellets,frozen,flakes,and even algae strips!

 

[pktech]

Hi whitetail,
What's your system like? How big, any other fish in there, have you checked your water parameters & have the readings? In my experience w/ new or finicky fish, they've taken almost up to 2 weeks to start eating in front of me.

 

[rssjsb]

People swear by live blackworms for picky butterflies.

 

[Allmine1958]

Just wondering, are you in Connecticut?

 

[whitetail187]

75 gal tank only about 2 months old now. I ended up taking him back because I could tell he was super stressed. I'm in florida. I got got half what I paid for him and ended up getting a flame angel instead. parameters have been steady. did have some zoas get pox last week though. I've tested everything I know to test for.

 

[rocsec1]

Always remember to have them feed the fish before you take it. If you don't have that food at home get some while you are there.

 

[kw22]

always remember to have them feed the fish before you take it. If you don't have that food at home get some while you are there.

+1