Copperband butterfly or filefish for Aptasia, which is more reef safe?

[Forgiven1973]

I have a copperband medium in size in line to purchase but im wondering which is normally safer in a reef? I was told he is eating froven and has been in current tank for 2wks. Im considering asking to watch it as its fed to see myself.

I have a sebae and rbta. Also i have a dottyback and yellow tang. Either of those likely to be an issue?

 

[Peter Eichler]

Copperband butterflies, but I find that they often don't eat aiptasia... At least I'm 0 for 3 with those I've kept over the years.

 

[Forgiven1973]

Ok let me add its going into a 75g for a few months b4 moving to my 120g

 

[sanababit]

Copperband worked great on my 90 gal full of aptaisias, he eliminated all of them including hydriods

Sana

 

[Rabidgoose]

My yellow tang did not like my CBB at all. I ended up having to get rid of the tang.

 

[snorvich]

Some CBB eat aiptasia, others do not. Some CBB are "reef safe" others are not. Some CBB eat, others do not (although the Australian endemic is more successful in this regard).

 

[Forgiven1973]

How do u know if u get a Australian endemic?

I hate there not being a "sure" thing with aptasia

 

[aquaph8]

How do u know if u get a Australian endemic?

I hate there not being a "sure" thing with aptasia

If it's at a LFS it's most likely an indo species. The indo species are a lot cheaper and much more common.

 

[johnike]

How do u know if u get a Australian endemic?

I hate there not being a "sure" thing with aptasia

LA has one now.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+25+212&pcatid=212

 

[johnike]

Some CBB eat aiptasia, others do not. Some CBB are "reef safe" others are not. Some CBB eat, others do not (although the Australian endemic is more successful in this regard).

Well put Steve.

 

[NewOne81]

My copperband is reef safe. He is in fact so reef safe he will only eat live black worms :facepalm:and absolutely nothing else (aiptasia or coral) in my tank. Still an awesome fish and it gets along just fine with my yellow tang.

 

[Perched Urchin]

I would say the tang might be a concern, especially if it is well established in the tank already. If it doesn't like the CBB much, its aggression may keep the CBB from being able to eat. Even if it doesn't physically injure the CBB, if it keeps the CBB away from the rocks where it can graze (hopefully, but not guaranteed, on aiptasia), it will starve. CBBs are not as efficient at eating out of the water column as many other fish, even if they will eat frozen. If you try it, make sure you are good with a fish trap so you can save or remove whichever of the two you want out.

I tried a filefish once and it preferred to take little perfectly circular nips out of my leathers rather than eat aiptasia.

 

[davocean]

Matted file fish are pretty darn good at eating apt.
I would be inclined to get that for now, maybe pass him along to someone in a local reef club when you swap(what our local club basically does)
You might get lucky and he gets it all, but even if not your 120g would be a better size tank for a CBB and your existing stock, and a new tank/surroundings may be a better time to intro to your YT.
Even a good CBB that eats, eats what you want, will most likely eat any gorgs, feathers and clams, so keep that in mind.

 

[Forgiven1973]

Thanks davocean and everyone for the suggestions. I think filefish is what ill do for now. I only have one zoa currently and mostly sps and lps after trading or selling most my softies.

CBB might b an idea once the 120g goes up ill wait and see