Maxima and Copperband Butterfly Compatability

[firemountain]

Everyone,

Been reading up on getting a Copperband for my tank. I know they can be picky eaters and have read that they will nip at clams if they are not well fed.

I have also read that guys who had clams, refrained from feeding the copperbands supplemental clams as food, and stuck with meaty foods like worms, mussels, PE etc.

I just want to know from others who have had success in keeping a clam and a Copperband in the same tank.

I have read the Copperband Primer, but also found this old post which made me feel like giving the Copperband a shot.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2306182&highlight=copperband+butterfly


Thanks in advance.

 

[laga77]

I have clams in both of my tanks. The 120G has a CBB and a Flame Angel. The 50G has a Pygmy Angel. Both tanks get live worms and clams as the majority of their diet, along with samplings of frozen foods as a variety. The only dry food I use is algae flakes for the angels and tangs. None of the 4 clams get picked on by any of the fish. I believe that well fed not only means how much you feed your fish, but what you feed your fish. A fish that is not hungry and well nourished will tend to do well in a tank.

 

[firemountain]

Awesome!! Thanks for the input. I love my clam too much, and the last thing I want is to see it get harassed by a CBB. Until I can stock up on black worms and build Paul B's trough to keep the worms healthy, I won't even consider the CBB. I know this not your everyday fish, so I am just trying to due some due diligence homework.

Thanks!

 

[HirshE]

I really think it depends on the CBB. I put a small clam in my tank that had a CBB in it. I knew the risk but thought I was feeding enough mysis shrimp so that the CBB wouldn't be hungry. I was wrong. My CBB enjoyed the clam and I learned my lesson.

 

[Art13]

Seems like they are all hit or miss as far as angels and butterfly's, its the reason i never put a flame angel in my tank, though my wife loves them, I'd be too worried about the coral and clams I have getting picked on. Works fine for some, fails for others, in the end if you think it's worth the risk you can try it out, but have a backup plan should something go wrong.

 

[tzylak]

FWIW, black worms live in salt water for a minute.
White worms live for hours. They are easy to cultivate too.
Happy Reefing!