New Saddleback Butterflyfish - Chaetodon Ephippium Mommy

[tylersarah]

Today was a great day for me, I finally got the call from my lfs stating that the Saddleback would be delivered today at 2pm and ready for pick up. He's a MAC fish, two inches or so and I set up an appropriate 20 gallon hypo-salinity quarantine for him. So far so good.

I will try feeding live black worms tomorrow morning and I have PraziPro on hand. My questions for the pros, should I dose the PraziPro now as a precaution?

What other "baby foods" should I try other than the blackworms?

Anything else?

 

[snorvich]

Meaty preparations of various kinds.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

With any luck, you won't need the blackworms. Mine was looking for food in the acclimation bucket.

Try mysis (I would start with Hikari mysis as the fish is so small, then move to PE mysis), Rods, chopped shrimp and scallop, plus flakes and NLS pellets.

 

[tylersarah]

Thanks I will try all of those things. He's so little, I'm probably going to have to target feed once he's moved into the community tank.

Any opinions on whether to dose PraziPro at this point or wait until any sign of infection?

 

[SDguy]

Since prazi can sometimes suppress appetite, I'd wait a little bit, until he's eating something regularly. Unless you see definite/severe signs of flukes. otherwise, it can wait a bit...

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

I agree on the PraziPro. Absent signs of disease, I try to get the fish eating before dosing meds.

 

[tylersarah]

Thank you all. He is chasing the live black worms, but I don't believe he has eaten any. I also tried a frozen blend of mysis, squid & clam that he isn't interested in whatsoever. I'm going to pick up some the NLS sinking pellets later today and give that a shot.

I will hold off on the PraziPro.

 

[SDguy]

My butterflies noticeably prefer Ocean Nutrition Formula 2 pellets to NLS.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

Get a scallop and a shrimp (both raw) from the grocery store, chop up a small piece, and feed. The fresh seafood may interest your fish more than frozen fare. If those don't work, try a piece of fresh, chopped clam from the grocery store.

 

[tylersarah]

My butterflies noticeably prefer Ocean Nutrition Formula 2 pellets to NLS.

This morning, for the first time he was confident swimming ALL around the tank, I threw in a few of the Formula 2 pellets, he noticed them, but didn't attempt to eat. I've only had the fish, unofficially named "Little Bugger" for 2 days and I don't believe it is uncommon for qt fish to not to eat immediately.

Additionally, I will see what the seafood section of our lgs (local grocery store:fun4 has to offer.

I will try to take some nicer photos later today.

 

[SDguy]

I wouldn't worry about it not taking pellets just yet. That may take some time. Definitely try some finely minced seafood like scallop (bay or diver)... mine love it.

 

[snorvich]

Also, Reef Caviar (capelin fish roe) is attractive to most fish.

 

[tylersarah]

Also, Reef Caviar (capelin fish roe) is attractive to most fish.

I've been in this hobby over a decade and that's new to me, thanks for the tip.

 

[tylersarah]

I'm very happy to report that his appetite has returned. He ate everything! - Diver's scallop, Formula 2, Limpits & blackworms. I'm going to stop feeding the blackworms since I don't want him to favor them because they're gross!

:celeb2:

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

Nice fish, I love this species, my fav BF for sure.

 

[SDguy]

I'm very happy to report that his appetite has returned. He ate everything! - Diver's scallop, Formula 2, Limpits & blackworms.

Great news!

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

I'm very happy to report that his appetite has returned. He ate everything! - Diver's scallop, Formula 2, Limpits & blackworms. I'm going to stop feeding the blackworms since I don't want him to favor them because they're gross!

:celeb2:

You mean you don't want to see blackworms squirming in your refrigerator every time you open the door and feel them squirm when you take a pinch to feed? :lol2:

Many of us with cbbs and ylns have to endure blackworms every day. You are wise to keep your fish off them if possible.

 

[tylersarah]

You mean you don't want to see blackworms squirming in your refrigerator every time you open the door and feel them squirm when you take a pinch to feed? :lol2:

Many of us with cbbs and ylns have to endure blackworms every day. You are wise to keep your fish off them if possible.

Indeed, every time I went for a snack for myself I lost my appetite. The worst was when one would get loose in the sink and wiggle around. The fish is already eating what I feed the display tank, it's a blend a local reefer makes called Limpets (mysis, squid, reef plankton, cyclops, and krill combo) and I plan to continue this along with diver scallops which he also finds a delicacy.

 

[tylersarah]

Pictures

Pictures

Our basement setup, bottom right qt tank.

The tank came from the neighbor who had it sitting empty in his garage.

Still bashful, that is unless there is scallop in the tank.

 

[tylersarah]

Our basement setup