Margined Coralfish, Chelmon marginalis, easier or harder than Copperband?

[iamwhatiam52]

Does anyone know if these are easier or harder to acclimate and keep long term than a regular copperband butterfly Chelmon rostratus? I only know these from the ones offered on Divers Den
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=112469

I've heard from many people that Copperbands can be difficult. I've recently tried them twice, and lost each within the first week of quarantine. Are these any better? I also like the idea of getting a fish that is accustomed to life in a tank.

 

[aquaph8]

I heard the Australian species are a little more hardy but I would still consider all of them to be expert fish on multiple levels but very similar in comparison to the Copperband. Ive heard a lot of good things about feeding black worms but never tried them yet.

 

[iamwhatiam52]

I heard the Australian species are a little more hardy .......

By Australian species, do you mean marginalis as opposed to rostratus, or do you mean rostratus from Australia?

Anyone have personal experience with marginalis?

 

[aquaph8]

Both, but you dont see rostratus from australia very often.

 

[SDguy]

Both, but you dont see rostratus from australia very often.

And at least in the past, when you did, they were big, and very orange, less "copper".

 

[iamwhatiam52]

So..... back to my original question, are both similar with respect to difficulty of acclimating and keeping long term?

 

[SDguy]

You may have difficulty finding an answer, because not many people have kept multiples of both. I know people that had hard times with small marginalis, just like a standard CBB. I have a marginalis in QT now from LADD. It eats, but I can see it having difficulty with a tank full of fish, at least right now.

 

[snorvich]

I have a marginalis in QT now from LADD. It eats, but I can see it having difficulty with a tank full of fish, at least right now.

Why do you think so? Because it is such a gentle fish?

 

[SDguy]

Why do you think so? Because it is such a gentle fish?

It's less aggressive than my YLN B/F, which can barely grab food in the reef as it is.

 

[honcho]

I purchased one from dd and only had him a few days. He has been constantly hunting for food on my live rock. Has been devouring frozen brine and mysis and been more aggressive at feeding than my coral beauty and bluethroat trigger. Mine has not been shy at all so far. It also ate every small feather duster I had in my tank. Had those eaten within two hours of being put in my tank. Its only been a couple of days but I have been very happy so far with how mine has adapted to my tank so far

 

[gws76]

Honcho,

Do you have an update on the margin?

 

[honcho]

Mine is still doing well. Is not shy at all and is always cruising around the tank. I think the more live rock you have the better they seem to adapt. Is constantly poking around the live rock looking for food. A very deliberate methodical hunter. Eats frozen mysis and brine schrimp very well. Haven't had any luck with other foods. I got some free gel packs from DD and he will pick at those but not very agressive. Nothing else in my tank seems to like them either.
I have a 150 gallon with about 200 pound of live rock. Been running for 14 months

 

[Monkeyfish]

I wonder if the Marginalis would go for live black worms? My CBB loves them.