Two copperband butterflyfish together?

[shelburn61]

Is it safe to house 2 copperbands together in quarantine? Aggression?

I'm aware of the difficulty in acclimating these fish so I picked up two smallish CBB with the expectation that one may not make it... I'd like to avoid setting up 2 QT tanks.

 

[jhentr]

I don't know about small juvenile, but I can say it's fairly safe to assume that they'll fight since CBB aren't known to school as other butterflys. Also whenever you see CBB in tanks, even huge tanks, you only see one CBB in there, unlike heniocus (sp?) or other species of schooling butterflies. Also having two quarantine isn't the problem. The problem would be when you put them into the same DT.

The chances of them surviving could have been seen at the store. If both ate well at the store, likely either one you choose would have a great chance of surviving at home. If only one ate and the other didn't, you would have a greater chance with the one that ate. On the other hand, if neither ate, you'll have a low to no chance both will do well at home.

Good luck. I have a CBB and it's a beautiful fish. My fav at the moment in my tank eating frozen mysis/brine shrimp.

 

[shelburn61]

These were mailorder with a 2 week guarantee... taking my chances.

 

[TOOTIME]

I have seen lfs house 10 small ones in a 55 for over a week and a half with no signs of aggression. Now they were small. I would acclimate them together keep an eye on them. Then add to main display and if after a month both are eatting and alive take one back to pet store for credit.

 

[DarthSimon]

Shelburn,
With all due respect, what you did is absolutely ridiculous... They will most likely fight and one will die... So you will stick the company you bought from with a dead fish that was your fault?? In the end we all pay higher prices because of people like you... Sorry, but that is asinine. You could easily buy these at a LFS and see if they are eating... Not an expensive LFS item.. They sell for maybe 30-50 bucks... What did you save online?? Was it worth it??

Also why would you ask the question on here, and then already have ordered them??

 

[eskymick]

For future reference of others, a local LFS had placed three (4" specimens) in a large display all at the same time. At first, all three tolerated each other, but eventually two of them paired up and began attacking the third. The LFS saved the "outcast" and it is safe and well in another tank. The pair are still doing fine.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

How large of a display? Did they swim together or kept to their own territory?

 

[jda]

I have kept multiples in the same tank and they have always gotten along. They might not be compatible, however, if they need to feed off of the reef and they starve each other out. Even if one eats offered foods, they will still hunt the reef and take food away from the other one. Think about the long term, not just about the QT period. It is very possible that one, or neither, will ever eat.

 

[eskymick]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13238092#post13238092 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
How large of a display? Did they swim together or kept to their own territory?

It's actually a rather large frag/grow-out tank .... I'd guess 6' long x 3'wide x 1' deep. The do seem to hang together. My impression is that that they're a mated pair.

 

[shelburn61]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13237242#post13237242 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DarthSimon
Shelburn,
With all due respect, what you did is absolutely ridiculous... They will most likely fight and one will die... So you will stick the company you bought from with a dead fish that was your fault?? In the end we all pay higher prices because of people like you... Sorry, but that is asinine. You could easily buy these at a LFS and see if they are eating... Not an expensive LFS item.. They sell for maybe 30-50 bucks... What did you save online?? Was it worth it??

Also why would you ask the question on here, and then already have ordered them??

They are in separate quarantine tanks. How does it go? When you assume you make an asinine out of u and me... Don't respond unless you have meaningful input tailored to the question asked!

 

[shelburn61]

Update:
both CBBs are active and picking at frozen mysis pressed into rock crevices. lots of spitting, but I think they are taking some down. I'll try some frzn bloodworms as well. Other ideas?

 

[eskymick]

They generally can't resist live black worms. Many LFS have live black worms.