Copperband Butterfly feeding

[emm0909]

Will a copperband butterfy eat mysis? Or are they picky eaters. They done NEED a clam diet or anything do they?

I'm placing an order today and just wanted to make a last ask to the boards.

 

[Don-Coraleone]

they are very picky eaters. i got mine to eat live brine shrimp.

 

[Tangwich]

THey are picky eaters and I don't think you want to place an order online if that's what you plan to do. YOu want to make sure to get them at LFS and ask them to feed in front of you. That way you can see which one is eating from the water column. I did and when I got it home, it ate Mysis and Brine from the water column. Unfortunately it also started picking at my crocea clam until it stressed it out so much that the clam died and gave everyone in the tank a feast : (

 

[flfireman1]

I made the mistake of buying mine without seeing it eat. Luckily I was furtunate that I had a heavy pod population which sustained him until he learned to feed from the water column. Now he eats mysis, brine shrimp, squid and on occassion blood worms. I hear they also love black worms but Ive never tried.

Also some folks try and feed them live littleneck clams from the grocery store. I havent tried this since he hasnt ever noticed the 3 clams in my tank (2 croceas 1 gigas).

Good luck

 

[shabreeson]

mine loved live black worms at first and was able to get him to eat mysis shrimp and brine after a few months. I too made sure to see him eat in front of me. I also have heard good things about pairing them with easier to feed butterfly fish, they start eating sooner because of the example that the other butterflies make.