New copperband butterfly

the CBB in that video... if it was MINE... it would be saying FEED ME.

It could be true of the one in the video, too- ESPECIALLY if it's been in captivity for any length of time.

It does appear relaxed and unstressed from what I can see. That's good.

Macropharyngodon, Anampses and Chelmon all hunt the same foods.
Whatever you're feeding that Anampses is worth a shot on the CBB. I don't know who carries Pro Salt in scuse.

edit: I watched that vid again on my PC (larger screen) and when you zoomed in I could see some heavy breathing going on.
I don't like everything I see.
 
the CBB in that video... if it was MINE... it would be saying FEED ME.

It could be true of the one in the video, too- ESPECIALLY if it's been in captivity for any length of time.

It does appear relaxed and unstressed from what I can see. That's good.

Macropharyngodon, Anampses and Chelmon all hunt the same foods.
Whatever you're feeding that Anampses is worth a shot on the CBB. I don't know who carries Pro Salt in scuse.

edit: I watched that vid again on my PC (larger screen) and when you zoomed in I could see some heavy breathing going on.
I don't like everything I see.

That CBB is mine haha he still sitting right there. I feed the wrasses PE mysis and cyclopeeze and they even eat nori off the clip. But the copperband just isn't interested. I think it's strange how he is just sitting there doin nothing. Usually they are moving around the tank hunting.
 
I know for my CBB, he was very shy and didn't eat prepared food for about 3 days. After that he was all over frozen PE mysis. When that went into the tank he would battle the 3 tangs and every other fish for his share. Just like Gary's does.

A side note when I purchased my CBB I was informed he was from Australia and that the CBB's from there were better eaters and had a better survival rate. I don't know if this was true, just what I was told. Either way he is beautiful fish. One of my all time favorites.

DSC_0038-1.jpg
 
Last edited:
Not 100% sure but I think in the wild clams are a CBB's natural prey, so you might not want to get a pretty clam later on. I would hit up the store and just buy one small clam and open it(you'll get wierd looks trust me) -but that's what made mine start getting interested and eating at first.
 
Also prolly not a preferred method ( I tend to have alot of bad avice haha) But mine did t he same thing at first, so I waited over night to see and he was still doing that. So i bought a clam, and opened it and put it in. Then I got my hand in there and just kinda gently shoo-ed (sp?) him and he swam up and out and saw the clam and has been happy ever since
 
the beak on Chelmon rostratus is designed for a certain prey. Not clams.

But who cares? If it takes clams to keep your fish alive... feed 'em!

When purchasing a CBB make sure to see it eating first. Was this one eating at the LFS, LB?
 
Yes he was eating in the store. I had him feed all the copperbands so I could choose the most healthy and active one and of course the one who eats. He isn't looking so good tonight though.
 
Hello there littlebee! nice pic and one of my favorite fish. One rule I have learned with CBB is to SEE them eat voraciously b4 purchase. I have had most luck with mysid shrimp. but clams also. Don't think the worms will do. What he is doing right now is efficiently and completely committing genocide on every little fan worm in your tank. Which is IMO a worthwhile sacrifice. When he cleans them all out then he will get hungry. the game will begin. good luck. I've had two or three and two of them for 2 yrs or more
 
I hate to tell this story, since it caused me some stress, but here goes. I bought a CBB that was eating mysis at the LFS. During the six weeks he spent in quarantine, he ate mysis six to eight times a day. He had a lot of personality and would eagerly await food the moment he saw me approach the tank. After the quarantine was over I put him in the display. None of the fish bothered him, but that was the last time I saw him eat anything. He would follow the food around the water column but not eat it. I tried black worms, enriched brine shrimp and Nutramar Ova and nothing interested him. One morning he was stuck to the powerhead. I vowed I'd never get another one.
 
It's okay. I don't want people to sugar coat it. And I'm not going to either. I don't think he is going to make it. I was very hopeful the first couple days bc he looks so healthy and was very active and hunting for food but the past couple days his breathing gets faster and he hides much more. I don't think I will have him for much longer and I am vowing not to get another one. I can't stand killing fish. It kills me and I'm mad I even got a second one. Some fish are better off left in the ocean.. I'll stick with my platinum clowns that I want someday. Surely they will do much better.
 
I am so sorry. I don't know about you but I love my creatures. I feel for them, especially when they die in my care. I went through something odd several months ago and lost 5 fish in a row. It was horrible. Thankfully everybody is healthy and happy now. I'm sorry for your loss. Blessings.
 
Well I guess I'll add my own experience with CBB. I had one that lived for over a year. I bought him to help take care of an aptasia infestation. Now I only witnessed him go after an aptasia once. I did see him picking at rocks and sand alot. He was also always in line to eat the mysis that I feed my other fish. So to make a long story short. He grew to at least twice the size he was at purchase but sadly he died about 2 months ago for reasons unknown. So I'm sorry for your loss but don't blame yourself to much. I think these are hard fish to keep alive.
 
Back
Top