Larvatus Butterfly not eating
 

does anyone have a suggestion to get this butterflies to eat i have 4 of them and they have not touched any food for a week now i hate to lose them can some one help?

What have you tried feeding them thusfar?

Well, from this site, these are listed as fish to never have in the aquarium, due to diet and stress...

http://www.aquariumpros.com/articles/badfishlist.shtml


Since you've got them, you might try feeding some clam...

Oops, missed that. Was confusing with semilarvatus. Yeah, unfortunately, you're most likely screwed...

My Black Back is probably one of the hardiest fish I own. Funny to see the rating on there..

Try to keep food small, chop up the mysis, or crush the flake. Is there a fish in there that is a good eater? Feed what it likes, but make it small. BFlys may also take to spirulina nibblers as if flakes off gradually into the water column.

I hate to say it but I think they are obligate coral feeders.

I learned from a friend who kept SW fish for many years and he told me never to buy butterflyfish like that (he gave me a whole list but I can't remember names off hand).

Cheers,
Vic [veng68]

Were these fish sold to you as "Larvatus" or some other common name?. Hopefully it is a mis-identification. If they really are Larvatus, they are strict acro polyp feeders. I have only read of one person who kept these fish alive for more than a few months. He actually purchased browned out dying acros from a lfs. IIRCC, this guy lived in the UAE and had a huge, ultra sophisticated system. His Laravatus still eventually starved to death. Where did you purchase these fish? Good luck.

Just read this.

http://www.reefhotspot.com/store/pro...roducts_id=629

You'll find this type of info from dealers that sell this fish and just about anything else. Most if not all "reputable" dealers do not sell this fish. And if they do, should at least be honest with the care level recommendations. There are countless (non-commercial) sites that state the captivity issues with this fish.

Wow the Phycodurus eques in that link looks crazy...

clam
 

I would buy some live clams, open them up and throw the shell and clam meat into the tank. They will usually land right side up and the butterflies should go crazy for this food.The left over clams i would freeze and when its time to feed, slip a sharp knife into between the frozen shell and cut straight through. it will open the clam and cut the meat into two for feeding.

Can you post a pic?

Y\

The four fish you bought are doomed
see http://wetwebmedia.com/poorchaetodons.htm

Carefully immediately remove them from your tank and return them to the LFS that ou bought them from and get your money back and give them an earfull as well as they will die in his tank.

I say so politely, but please, in the future never buy a fish unless you have throughly studied their needs and ask questions before you buy.

Interesting list, how come I didn't know (before I got one) that clown tangs are listed as "class A" never to be kept in captivity. *Sigh* the things you learn after the fact :sad:

Good luck with your butterfly fish, I hope they make it. Did you try feeding clam, if you did how did it go?

Though it is nice to see a the list, they are still in the business of selling fish.
www.wetwebmedia.com has a better list.
They list good and bad of most of the species and should be a must read a reefer buys a fish.

Thanks
Wayne