Copperband Butterfly chasing itself!

[hanas]

I just recently bought a Copperband this past week and have noticed an odd behavior that I'm hoping someone has seen before with this fish. Everynight, from about 6:30 onward until 11, he chases himself (reflection) along the left side panel of my tank. I tried placing a background on that side to stop it, but he still continues.

He's eating fine, and breathing/appearance are all normal. I've read online that they are territorial against other Copperband's in capativity, so I'm hoping this is just a phase that will pass over time.

Anyone else experience this?

 

[jhornik]

I have one did the same thing for about a week. Once he got acclimated to the tank he started venturing out and swimming in the open. Still does it every once in a while but is still ok!

 

[teen]

tangs are known to do this when there cramped, but i guess it can go for all larger fish.

he should be fine though if hes in your 75gal.

 

[Hormigaquatica]

My blueface does that once in a while. There is one corner where he can see his reflection, and attacks it- sometimes violently. He has kicked his own butt a few times, swimming around with scrapes and missing scales from banging against the rocks by the glass.
He will go at it for 3 or 4 minutes, then just stop, and swim off like nothing happened. Other times he will go to that spot, and acts completely normal.
Best thing I can tell you to do is to watch any injuries closely so there arent infections or anything.

 

[Cove Beach]

My CBB did that in QT and in my display, now he just begs for food when i walk in the room. Its a phase.

 

[tank watch]

yep. I had a few different fish so that, most recently a sohal tang.
It usually passes. I think they are bored and frustrated being captive. More space and grazing foods are helpful.

 

[hanas]

Thanks to all that responded. When I got home from work last night, I noticed that the behavior has pretty much gone away. Instead of chasing himself, he was out grazing. It was pretty funny to watch him constantly attack himself for awhile, but I'm glad he's acting normal now.

 

[zuzecawi]

Heh.. my mandarin courts himself. He does the twisty little dance to the surface and back and I'm fairly sure he uh... dusted the place off once.
Fish are neat.

 

[SitBackAndWatch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9341766#post9341766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by teen
tangs are known to do this when there cramped, but i guess it can go for all larger fish.

he should be fine though if hes in your 75gal.

copperbands are butterfly fish.

 

[teen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9352437#post9352437 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SitBackAndWatch
copperbands are butterfly fish.

really:eek2:

i was stating that this behavior is most common in tangs, but i suppose this behavior can be portrayed by "larger" fish, like a butterfly fish.

 

[SitBackAndWatch]

my bad, when i see teen as the name i figure that you must have some ignorance of things.

and i dont think that this behavior is common in just large fish, i have seen my sixline and my pink chromis do this. as well as my hippo

 

[teen]

never judge a book by its cover.

and its a nick name, not an abreviation for teenager.

lol, well change it.

 

[SitBackAndWatch]

75, i just upgraded.... havnt changed that yet