Copperbands

[jfl14609]

I just thought I would see what everyone history has been with copperbands. I just got two one for each of my large tanks. I already have one eating frozen the other one will pick at pellets but i wouldnt really call it eating. Now how many people have kept them over long periods of time and how have you made it work for you. I already started an aptaisia breeding ground in a separate tank just in case. Now the biggie how many actually eat aptaisia. I got mine on weds and have yet to have seen either of them touch it

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

got my first CBB from Tom when he worked at CF. It was eating frozen foods in the store so I got it. It lasted two years in my 225 eating (mostly) microfauna (including Aiptasia) in my reef aquarium. It would also take prepared foods. It died (along with my Singapore Angelfish) when a powerhead started leaking electricity into my aquarium. (All my other fishes survived.) This proved to me that the Angelfish and CBB were't as hardy as I first suspected

If my memory is correct my next CBB was purchased for my current aquarium. I failed to notice at the LFS that it's beak was damaged. I never saw it eat (anything!) and it swam in circles for several months until it finally perished- I don't know how it was able to hang on for so long!

I've had my present CBB for about 7 months now. It was in captivity for awhile before I got it. I never see it eat Aips or prepared foods but it eats microfauna in the sandbed and rockwork. (It's impossible to see what it's nailing when it lunges!) It might be learning (from my Klein's Butterfly) to take Aiptasia. Whatever it's eating... as of this morning the fish is fat

 

[jfl14609]

So gary would you say although they are delicate that their health is more dependen on a well cycled tank wit alott of natural creatures for them to munch on

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

yeah- similar to Mandarinfish. Big tank, lots of rock with lots of small critters scurrying around. A refugium will help with maintaining pods.

 

[jfl14609]

I have access to copepod cultures so maybe I will just make sure I feedthe tank alott

 

[jimmer]

i have seen one in zoo tank last few times i been there.no idea if its same fish or not

 

[puter]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15303095#post15303095 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimmer
i have seen one in zoo tank last few times i been there.no idea if its same fish or not

It is... I've been very pleased with how well it has done. That said, I'm still very hesitant to recommend this fish for most people unless they're willing to maintain a separate Aiptasia supply (as Jeff is) to ensure they have sufficient food available.

From an old post:

By far, the most effective means of eliminating large scale, in-tank Aiptasia infestations, that I've found, is the Copperband Butterflyfish. I say that very hesitantly because I firmly believe the Copperband Butterflyfish is wholly inappropriate for the vast majority of reef tanks out there including all of them that are 90 gallons or less.

Anyone leaning towards getting a Copperband Butterflyfish should know that it is very likely that at least 3 or 4 fish will die for every one successfully imported. Even if you're lucky enough to get one in that doesn't have a damaged mouth, that likes Aiptasia, it can be very difficult to get it eating a sustainable diet.

Ask around and see how many people you can find who have successfully kept a Copperband Butterflyfish for at least two years. For the one at the zoo, I keep a separate Aiptasia culture going so I can periodically provide it with addtional food. Unless you're willing to go to that length, you're very likely condemning the fish to an early death. Which is why I don't typically recommend people get them...

 

[jfl14609]

I cant take credit for my aptaisia farm it was recommended to me by gmaquarium when I got them

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15303328#post15303328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by puter
It is... I've been very pleased with how well it has done. That said, I'm still very hesitant to recommend this fish for most people unless they're willing to maintain a separate Aiptasia supply (as Jeff is) to ensure they have sufficient food available.

From an old post:

 

[tmz]

Gary. Does your Kleins butterfly bother any corals?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15305040#post15305040 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tmz
Gary. Does your Kleins butterfly bother any corals?

no- not that I know of (yet). But I just noticed it picking at my gigantea anemone yesterday. I'm going to see if I can avoid having to remove the anemone or the Butterflyfish.

 

[jfl14609]

how long do copperbands normally take till they start going at the aptaisia? Both of mine are actually eating frozen although I am very happy about that I wonder if its why there isnt any missing aptaisia

 

[RandyO]

I've got a large Australian Copperband in my 265. He's been in there about 3 months. I had him in quarantine for a month before that. He did not accept prepared foods in QT, but would eat an aptasia when added. After we put him in the 265, I didn't see him touch an aptasia for a month. Then one day, we noticed many of the aptasia were gone. Now there are only a few left.
Once we noticed he was eating apatasia, we also noticed him starting to eat frozen brine and mysis. He was picky at first, but now eats with gusto.

So far, so good.

I removed all the LPS in the tank so that the Copper Band and the Regal Angel were not tempted to take a bite. SPS reef only.

 

[jfl14609]

Yeah I kind of figured there was no way of knowing, its really weird they are already eating frozen mysis

 

[jdieck]

I have had mine for almost two years now. Although it ate plenty of frozzen mysid, loaded artemia and blood worms it always looked kind of skinny until I found a source of California black worms. Hee eats them very very well and gained weight to the point of now being what I could say very fat. My best guess is that he likes them so much because mini feather duster worms is one of their natural foods, and live black worms look much like them out of the tube.
Hope you can find a source for black worms.

http://www.aquaticfoods.com/wormfarm.html

 

[block head]

haven't been to caribbean forrest latley. think they had one they would whore out for customers with aip problems.

 

[Blugobi]

I have had my Copperband for 18months to date...it is a wonderful addition to my 120, he/she has been a stellar resident and has kept any and all aptasia at bay. They do come from several areas of the South Pacific, mine is from (Papau New Guinea) as per the distributor....from the information that I have read, stay away from the indo Pacific, Singapore varieties...there track record is poor for captivity... Mine will eat any frozen foods and will even hit flake food until it know what it is Keep trying frozen mysid and or plankton....good luck

Geo

 

[jfl14609]

no they are actually eating frozen already. they just arent touching the aptaisia

 

[josepha]

it is my understanding from several people who have, or have had them, that once the aptasia are all gone they will pick away at your LPS.

 

[jfl14609]

good thing I got my back up aptaisia farm haha

 

[Kent D.]

i have had mine for about five weeks now. Second week it started picking at my acans and another buddy of mine had the same thing happen to him so keep an eye out. Mine ate frozen food the first day he was in my tank. He will eat my smaller apatasia but did not touch the larger ones which I took care of with joe's juice. Best of luck with your new fish.