Long nose or Copperband

[etepperman]

Hi,

I am looking to add a butterfly. I know they are hard to keep, but my setup is pretty good for one.

Tank age 11 Years
Live Rock 100+ lb
80g
Nitrate 0
SG 1.25
Cal 420
Kh 10

So the question I have is which of the 2 (long-nose or copper-band) have a better survival rate. They are both great looking fish, and keeping it alive is priority 1. Second prioiry is reef safeness.

your input is welcome.

Thanks,
E

 

[gofor100]

I've kept the Yellow Longnose before, and they are (in my experience) extremely hardy given the apropriate circumstances and are quick to eat prepared foods... although, if anything goes wrong with the tank (fish get sick/parameters are out of whack) then they are typically the ones to show signs first.

I even had one in my mixed reef, and the only things he ate were small feather dusters and my sandsifting starfish's tube feet whenever it would venture out from the sand (nothing irreparable, he would just peck at a few and then leave it alone).

Although I've never kept a Copperband before, I would assume they have similar care requirements, although for some reason, I've heard less people have success with them.

 

[wilsonreefs]

OK here goes...
Are you going to have any corals? Do your research, Butterfly fishes make a buffet out of some corals. A lot of corals also are finicky eaters. Most people with aiptasia problems use them to rid their aquariums of it. Sadly when the aiptasia is gone, if the butterfly hasn't started eating other foods they will starve. Do you homework and do a lot of reading about this. I'm sure others will chip in as well. You are right, they are beautiful fish. I really want a Moorish Idol, in the worst way, but they are very hard to keep. They are finicky eaters.

Carl

 

[strike2867]

I've kept the Yellow Longnose before, and they are (in my experience) extremely hardy given the apropriate circumstances and are quick to eat prepared foods... although, if anything goes wrong with the tank (fish get sick/parameters are out of whack) then they are typically the ones to show signs first.

I even had one in my mixed reef, and the only things he ate were small feather dusters and my sandsifting starfish's tube feet whenever it would venture out from the sand (nothing irreparable, he would just peck at a few and then leave it alone).

Although I've never kept a Copperband before, I would assume they have similar care requirements, although for some reason, I've heard less people have success with them.

I have a Copperband and the experience is about exactly the same. Haven't heard of Copperband Butterfly losses.

 

[snorvich]

I have a Copperband and the experience is about exactly the same. Haven't heard of Copperband Butterfly losses.

Copperbands are hit and miss. One of the more difficult fish to acclimate to your enviroment. Some are reef safe, others not. Some will eat, some will not. The australian equivalent C. marginalis, while more expensive, is much easier. Oh, by the way, copperbands do not always eat aiptasia.

 

[steamman]

I keep a CB Butterfly. Tough to get to start eating. Slow to get to food once it does start to eat. Seems to examine the food too long and by the time it decides to go for it another fish gets it.

After months the CB has gotten better at not waiting so long to select food to go after.

They sure can put some food away. I was surprised at what this fish can put away. I feed heavily 3 to 4 times a day and The CB will just keep eating. This is a good thing for this animal. I guess I got lucky with this fish.

Eats the following: whole chopped clams, whole chopped muscles, chopped scallops, chopped shrimp, PE mysis (won't touch the frozen cubed mysis) I had no luck with live or frozen worms.

 

[Daniel Reef]

If you get a LN Butterfly, you may want to try a feeder that some other poster uses:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=12950026&postcount=9

 

[gofor100]

My LN Butterfly was a pretty aggressive feeder... but he was also one of the first in the tank (which might have been key).

 

[SDguy]

IME YLN are very aggressive feeders. Pretty much the opposite of most CBB in captivity.

 

[steamman]

I like the feeder. I am going to make one for my CB.

 

[mscarpena]

I had a copperbanded for years. Mine did great, but also hear of lots that do not do so well. Only ate Bloodworms for the longest time, but once other fish started to eat other things in front of him he gobbled about anything up. I lost him in an ich outbreak about 3 years ago while my mother-in-law was watching the tank. I told her to use the AC unit, but she did not like AC so she did not use it. Tank got too warm and a few fish died. So I bought a chiller. They do get sick easily if something comes up.

 

[Alex T.]

^^^^+1

I introduced my Copperband first into my reeftank after a 30 day qt. He only ate Bloodworms. Once the Achilles and Yellow Tangs were introduced he rarely could get enough to eat. Started eating pellet but needed it to fall through the "noise" of other fishes before he wold pick it off the sandbed. Although he never looked exceptionally thin, I was looking at the tank one day at lights on and he was dead up against a Vortech.

I don't know what it is with Copperbands, but they really are slow feeders. They seem to want to pick off the rocks more than feed out of the water column. With my current stock list, I won't try another.

I think if it's one of the larger fish in your tank, you have a much better chance if he's already eating. I love the fish, but maintaining an SPS tank is hard enough without worrying about a fish not getting enough food.

 

[Alex T.]

Just to add...I have a friend that has the biggest, fattest Morrish Idol you've ever seen in captivity for over three years. He couldn't keep a Copperband that was already eating alive for more than 3 months.

 

[etepperman]

Thanks for all the replies. Keep the coming.

It looks so far like the winner is the LN. It would seem like almost no one has had much long term success with the CB. The feeder also looks like a great idea.

Thanks,
E

 

[rayn]

While not long term by any means, I have a CBB in QT now for two weeks. Seems to be doing better each day and has eaten prepared foods. Make sure whatever you get eats prepared before you bring it home. I did and it still took almost a week before mine ate at home. I added some four inch pvc a week into QT to add more hiding places, took about three days before he would even think about them, but now I only find him in them?!

 

[wilsonreefs]

Just to add...I have a friend that has the biggest, fattest Morrish Idol you've ever seen in captivity for over three years. He couldn't keep a Copperband that was already eating alive for more than 3 months.

Not trying to hitchike, but your friend needs to tell me how it's done (Moorish Idol). That fish is probably the most sought after in my wants. I just don't want to buy one until I know, or at least, think I know how to care for it. I would be sick if I had one and it died. I have the tank size, I just don't think the knowledge is quite there yet. Still researching though....

Carl

 

[etepperman]

pH Probe Calibration

pH Probe Calibration

Hi,

Anyone know if there are any good household products that we can use for calibrating a pH prob?

Thanks,
E

 

[scubasteve06]

Hi,

Anyone know if there are any good household products that we can use for calibrating a pH prob?

Thanks,
E

You might want to make a separate in this forum, or in the reef chemistry forum.

 

[preef]

I bought a CBB that was eating brine at the LFS. My yellow tang bullied him big time and he always stayed in a corner. I was able to feed him with a syringe filled with brine. I eventually got him to eat Rod's and mysis. The bullying subsided and he stated eating on his own in the open. Eventually he started eating like a pig and moved quickly for the food. He always made a loud clicking sound when he was eating big pieces of food. Just when I thought all was good I found him half dead. Not sure what happened. Eating great one day and dead the next.

 

[jasoncampbell83]

My copperband in my profile pic is awesome, he is in a reef tank and I have'nt had any problems with him picking at any coral, I bought him at my LFS and he had been eating frozen brine shrimp and had been with coral's in the LFS for a couple weeks, I have had him for about 7 months, I had the longnose butterfly in the past and bought him from another LFS and he didnt last long, the LFS I bought this guy from is awesome, only deals with coral and saltwaterfish, they have the cream of the crop stuff and always make sure fish are eating before they will sell them. I would definately make sure the fish is eating and what they are eating and go from there. My choice is the copperband over the longnose, but it just seems from posts above they are hit or miss. Good luck!