keeping copperband butterfly fish.

[Evolutionz]

as above, how do you guys train them or what do you use to entice them to feed on frozen food?

thanks

[SimplyReefing]

I was cheated by a lfs, and i felt so guilty over the dead copperbanded. Before buying, i did ask what do they feed, and i was told mysis. Bought them, and it doesn't want to eat

[sanjaypills55]

There is a small shop next to Chinatown hawker center... few years ago i bought copper band which readily eats frozen food.. i even asked them to feed it before buying...Not sure if they still sell.

[jythong]

Tried twice. The first was a trained mysis eating copperband from Henry. Tended to be slower than the other fish like tangs and hence mine needed to be hand-fed using tweezers to deliver it in front of its small mouth. The second one was purchased untrained. It refused all food except live tubifex worms. Yes, I had to purchase live tubifex worms regularly from freshwater LFS to satisfy its needs. It is, after all, my responsibility to keep it alive since I purchased it. I am not sure what these worms did to my reef tank, but I will not try a copperband again.

[cutebarra77]

Tried twice. The first was a trained mysis eating copperband from Henry. Tended to be slower than the other fish like tangs and hence mine needed to be hand-fed using tweezers to deliver it in front of its small mouth. The second one was purchased untrained. It refused all food except live tubifex worms. Yes, I had to purchase live tubifex worms regularly from freshwater LFS to satisfy its needs. It is, after all, my responsibility to keep it alive since I purchased it. I am not sure what these worms did to my reef tank, but I will not try a copperband again.

Hi, what do you mean by you are not sure what the tubifex worms did to your tank? Has something bad happened to your tank?

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

[jythong]

Hi, what do you mean by you are not sure what the tubifex worms did to your tank? Has something bad happened to your tank? Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

Nothing apparent. But these worms tend to harbour parasites and bacteria, I think. Not sure if they are harmful to fish.

[Firestarter]

You can try the shell fish method. Buy some raw 'lala' and try feeding them with it.

[Evolutionz]

thanks guys for all ur advice.

[diverxxx]

if your tank has a reef setup, it should be able to adapt well in the tank.

i bought 2 when i first purchase them, 1 big 1 small. the bigger one entice the smaller one to eat. feed them brine shrimps and mysis,.

dont give up bro...

[Evolutionz]

i guess im pretty lucky! its been day 4 since i got my copper band butterfly and 2 days ago it started eating frozen mysis and brine shrimp, never tried any other food prior to that. And also despite being chased by my yellow tang. will have to net out yellow tang to keep in sump for a few days.

[tnb]

Do let us know the good news if it does well. I have one who started eating mysis but still died after 2 weeks. Scared to try again.

[Evolutionz]

so far its been eating really well an surprisingly fast. can take in at least 1/4 - 1/2 cube of mysis by itself. but still looks pretty skinny, will have to pump it up.

[artxakis]

same here. bought mine from henry for aiptasia control initially but he advised its a hit or miss with copperband butterfly fish. but it did feeds on mysis whenever i feed to the rest of the fishes. but somehow i think its not enuf one day just saw it dead on the tank bottom. will never buy a copperband butterfly again eventhough its one of the prettiest fish i have ever bought

[tnb]

Yes it is one of the fishes that drew me into this hobby. Too bad i cannot keep it. Hopefully bro evo can get his plump and healthy soon!