This was my method for training my Copperbands to eat.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=73021

I have since sold one of them, as I couldn't get them to play nice. But have had the bigger one now for over 9 months and he is doing great. I am really impressed how he adapted to my bully Yellow Tang and my bulldog Cinnamon Clown. Both still occasionally take a lunge at him, but he artfully dodges them, and resumes doing his thing, without fear (was certainly not the case when first introduced to the display tank).

Only problem, is that he still won't eat my aiptasia, which is why I originally got him. I am probably feeding him too well... He does go around picking at live rock, though, so must be finding something there to his liking.

That was a great video. The magnet in the capsule was perfect.

As for Aiptasia problems my recommendation is to use Florida Peppermint Shrimp for the small to medium size ones. They don't seem to like the large ones so those need to be manually removed. It might be worth experimenting by cutting off the tops and siphoning it out while leaving the base for the peps.

I haven't tried the Peppermint Shrimp yet. I have been told that my Red Flame Hawkfish would eat them. I used to have big Green Bird Wrasse, that would eat them for sure, but I managed to catch and sell him.

I have some hermit crabs that were introduced recently, and still see a couple of them around, so maybe there is a chance the shrimp could survive, too. But they might just be an expensive treat for the hawkfish.

Great information in your posts Tim! And I personally choose to support local as often as possible! Especially when local is proven to be of incredible quality. Keep up the great work Tim!

The Flame Hawk could be a hazard to the peps, especially if it is a large one and they are small. Once the peps are used to the tank they should be able to avoid Mr. Hawkfish since they hide during the day. Since peps are nocturnal there is a chance they could do the job at night with out getting eaten.

If you want to try the peps my advice would be to get the largest you can find, feed the tank heavily the day before you get them and add them at least an hour after lights out. Preferably when the tank is very dark and Mr. Hawkfish has gone to bed.


Thanks Carmen. I agree... local is best.

thanks everyone
 

thank you for all the reply's great to see everyone getting along out there got some ph mysis. have use it before when i had discus they loved it.

good topic i thought