My LFS has a Copperband that I've been interested in acquiring. I generally don't buy a fish unless I see it eating, and every weekend for the last month I've asked to see it eat and every time they try feeding it, I don't see it take to food. However, it's been in the tank a month, so you 'd think it's been eating something. According to the guys at the shop, all they feed the tanks are PE Mysis and sometimes NLS. The tank in which the CBB is held has one piece of LR in it, maybe about eight inches in diameter and it looks super clean. There's nothing growing on it, though I the fish generally spends its time circling it and periodically poking at it. I'm interested in opinions on those experienced with CBBs - is this thing eating and I'm just not seeing it? Or can a CBB starve to death this slowly?
Copperband opinion
- Thread starter cl800
- Start date
MondoBongo
Obligate Feeder Obsessed
i would pass on it.
i bought a non-eating copperband. i knew that wasn't a good sign, but i figured that it was either going to starve in the LFS tank, or in my QT system. sadly it was in my QT system. i could not get him eating.
i purchased a second copperband after seeing it eat myses in a tank full of damsels. he hasn't let me down. in fact, his name is now "King Hippo" because the way he eats reminds me of Hungry Hungry Hippos.
i bought a non-eating copperband. i knew that wasn't a good sign, but i figured that it was either going to starve in the LFS tank, or in my QT system. sadly it was in my QT system. i could not get him eating.
i purchased a second copperband after seeing it eat myses in a tank full of damsels. he hasn't let me down. in fact, his name is now "King Hippo" because the way he eats reminds me of Hungry Hungry Hippos.
ThRoewer
New member
The key is how the fish behaves and how its health condition is.
In the past I bought several copperbands and never really looked if they were eating at the store (or rather at the wholesaler). All I looked for was that the fish was healthy, had no thin neck, was acting alert and looking for food and picking at rocks or the tank bottom.
Though I would never attempt such a fish unless I have a large enough tank with enough worms and pods.
The first one I got spend over a month cleaning my tank from all worms and those small white feather dusters before even looking at frozen food. Mysis turned out to be the best as it looked in form and color closest to the worms it was going after. As soon as the fish was eating it was eating well.
Later I found out that mine was a female and added a male. He picked up eating frozen food from the female quickly.
Also to consider is that this is one of the fish that lives in bonded pairs in the wild. Ideally it should also kept that way in captivity to do really well.
In the past I bought several copperbands and never really looked if they were eating at the store (or rather at the wholesaler). All I looked for was that the fish was healthy, had no thin neck, was acting alert and looking for food and picking at rocks or the tank bottom.
Though I would never attempt such a fish unless I have a large enough tank with enough worms and pods.
The first one I got spend over a month cleaning my tank from all worms and those small white feather dusters before even looking at frozen food. Mysis turned out to be the best as it looked in form and color closest to the worms it was going after. As soon as the fish was eating it was eating well.
Later I found out that mine was a female and added a male. He picked up eating frozen food from the female quickly.
Also to consider is that this is one of the fish that lives in bonded pairs in the wild. Ideally it should also kept that way in captivity to do really well.
Lucky Lefty
New member
davocean
Active member
I once had a CBB that only really ate pods, which is maybe what is sustaining that one right now.
While mine stayed healthy, it was wiping out pods my mandarin pair needed, so it had to go.
They really do vary on diet.
I would only buy one that I see eat the foods I feed, at least mysis.
While mine stayed healthy, it was wiping out pods my mandarin pair needed, so it had to go.
They really do vary on diet.
I would only buy one that I see eat the foods I feed, at least mysis.
^This^ I have always been able to get a copperband eating immediately by feeding live black worms. They will also go for blood worms but not as quick as black worms. Also make sure hes not in a tank with a lot of aggressive feeders. CBBs are slow deliberate eaters, at first atleast...
jason2459
Well-known member
I look for the same thing in any fish I buy. Eating frozen is a plus. If they are hiding or pacing excessively I pass. How can you tell the sexes apart? I would love to make a pair.
I've always had good luck feeding black worms, clams, muscles, mysis, and baby brine.
One of the ways I feed by hand is clip the tip off a pipette so only he can get in to get out what ever is in there.
Going in for some live black worms.
lespaul339
Reefer
In my opinion live Black Worms are key to keeping these fish long term.
Spartanman22
New member
That is a great idea!I look for the same thing in any fish I buy. Eating frozen is a plus. If they are hiding or pacing excessively I pass. How can you tell the sexes apart? I would love to make a pair.
I've always had good luck feeding black worms, clams, muscles, mysis, and baby brine.
One of the ways I feed by hand is clip the tip off a pipette so only he can get in to get out what ever is in there.
Going in for some live black worms.
hogfanreefer
Active member
I hand feed mine too. Just to try and keep some of the aggressive feeders at bay.
