Copperband Butterfly

[subman]

I think they are purchased more often. Who doesn't want a stunning fish that also helps control a pest. There are quite a few fish that should be left in the ocean but everyone thinks they know better than the next guy and they can raise it successfully.

[reefwars]

long term with this fish is horrible if someone has had this fish for over 5 yrs id like to hear about it , personally i know only one person who has been able to keep one for over 5yrs. success on this fish isnt based on a year or two its based on the lifespan the fish could have, many perople are able to get the fish to eat, but lose the fish in the first few years for unknown reasons.

[plutoniumJoe]

I've had my CBB for over 2.5years, prior to this one I losst one for no apparent reason. I had read a post by GSP about his 5th one dying after about 6 months and started to feel that this was an un-keepable fish. The big debate at that time was cyanide caught or not. I don't know if there is a way to truly tell but I think it is used to explain why some seemingly healthy fish that are eating die off after a few months.

I stayed away for a while but couldn't resist when I saw what looked like healthy CBBs that had been eating at the LFS for a week. Took one home and fed mysis to the tank at every feeding with garlic and selcon. Eventually he began to get aggressive enough and fast enough to get his fair share. Now I feed mysis 2 out of 3 days and he is fat and healthy. I would also assume that he gets what he needs in pods etc.. when I go on vacation and the tank is left to auto-feeder.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by naesco

The reality is this is an extremely difficult, as pointed out by other posters. but not impossible fish to keep.
It simply dies without any apparent reason just as the OPs did and IMO should not be available in stores for sale.
It should be available to reefers who order them in. That way fish loss will be much much lower for this species.
It follows than that it should not be recommended for dealing with aiptasia problems when there are other critters and methods available that do not sacrifice a fish.

I also agree with the comments that the very few who are presently having success keeping them have an obligation to post their failures with the species to provide reefers with a balanced view.

Naesco, have you ever kept a Copperband? If so, what was your experience?

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Naesco, have you ever kept a Copperband? If so, what was your experience?

+1.

[marie]

My sole experience appears to be atypical, I bought my copperband 4 yrs ago online with no promise it was eating prepared foods (in store only 3 days). After 2 days in quarantine it started eating prepared foods and hasn't looked back since. He is my second favourite fish, with no sign of shyness and is the first at the turkey baster at feeding time

[jorjef]

Originally Posted by marie

My sole experience appears to be atypical, I bought my copperband 4 yrs ago online with no promise it was eating prepared foods (in store only 3 days). After 2 days in quarantine it started eating prepared foods and hasn't looked back since. He is my second favourite fish, with no sign of shyness and is the first at the turkey baster at feeding time

I just bought one about two weeks ago. The fish had just arrived at the store about 4 hours before I got there, was swimming around pecking at the live rock, seemed healthy, not shy at all. They threw in some mysis which semed to confuse him a bit, then he picked up a couple pcs. spit,bite spit bite then he ate a couple of pcs. In the bag he went and is afraid of no one in my tank. I have seem him pull Mysis from my wrasses mouth, he's like a bull in a china shop when feeding. My new favorite fish.

[naesco]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Naesco, have you ever kept a Copperband? If so, what was your experience?

Yes I have on at least one occasion possibly two many years ago. I recall that it died within a couple of weeks .

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by naesco

Yes I have on at least one occasion possibly two many years ago. I recall that it died within a couple of weeks .

Did you have it in QT? Did you get it eating, and what food?

[Proteus]

I decided to try this fish. I will only try once

My Cbb was eating in the lfs and had been there for two weeks. I took home and it was way to shy. Would not come out to feed at all. It was very nocturnal and if I looked at it it would run for the hills. I was told to try mussels. To my suprise when I dropped the mussel in it was on it instantly. Once he figured out I was there to feed him he started to come out every feeding. And now is out during lights on. The fish has improved considerably. One wrasse I have will gaurd mussel and shrimp while the Cbb eats making sure he gets his fill. Though I am suprissed with 4 clams he has never touched one.