Copperband Butterfly

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by paddyob

Sorry. Reef pilot. Just pointing out the fact that you are giving information out without explaining that this one you have doing well, is not your first. As your first one was clearly dying.

I feel it is important not to leave those details out when you feel the need to give advice on an expert only fish.

Leaving out the fact you had to take one back to the LFS is vital to know when a person is asking about the trials and errors.

I'll post this everytime after you!!!

Lol.

Well, I don't want to write a book every time I talk about CB's. People would get bored quickly. If they want more info, they can go look at my past posts. Or they can ask, and I'll be happy to refer them to some of my past posts.

The big point is that you can be successful with CB's, and I showed how with my other two. And I disagree that my first one was a loss. I did the right thing and returned him before he was too far gone. Given what I know now, I also have no doubt that I could have successfully kept him if I had a QT at that time, and applied my initial feeding techniques that worked with the other two.

I will never say CB's are easy to keep. They do require extra care and attention to get feeding properly, and then acclimatized to your display tank with all the other fish. But if you can get them to the point where they swim fearlessly throughout the tank, and aggressively feed with the other fish, then you are home free. It takes a few months, at least, but it is very rewarding in the end.

[paddyob]

A small number live compared to what sells.

It's fact.


Anyhow. Sorry Jerry. Best of luck.

[AaronH]

Once I was able to get mine to eat I tried mussels and it loves them
Now it let's me pet him when I'm feeding
Has to be one of my fav fish in the tank

[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.

Seems to me that CBB's are only one species among many that are arguably unsuitable for most keepers, given their track records. Just among the butterfly fish, there are many species one could suggest the same IMO
Why is it this seems to get pointed out when CBB's come up? Because they are more often available than some of the others?

[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.

[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