best frozen foods ?

TimT · #1 09-08-2011, 04:41 PM

Since your Copperband is already eating Mysis, Plankton and the fresh clam you are giving it a good source of nutrition. I would not be overly concerned that it is not eating bloodworms. I could be that the fresh clams and Mysis and Plankton taste better to the fish than the bloodworms.

The main concern is for newly arrived fish that are not eating at all. Then I would offer them frozen bloodworms or live if available. Once the fish starts to eat in captivity it can be eventually trained to accept other foods.

Reef Pilot · #2 09-08-2011, 04:57 PM

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.

TimT · #3 09-08-2011, 05:31 PM

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.

Reef Pilot · #4 09-08-2011, 05:39 PM

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.