copperband butterfly, yay or nay (1 Viewer)

[toefu]

i was reading around a bit, and noticed people have mixed result with the copperband butterfly. I was wondering how local Houston reefers have been doing with this fish?

I have a 55 gallon with 2 15 gallon tanks as sump and refuge

some sps, some lps, leathers, shrooms, a clam

1 Yellow tang and 1 false perc, 1 lawnmower

I figure i'd add 1-2 more fishes total, what is everyone's experience with the copperband?

 

[aqua-nut]

I have had three CB butterflies over the years.

First one was when I was a kid, living in Singapore. Died rather quickly due to poor water quality and a cramped environment.

Second and third were in my 55 gallon tank. Both died because they simply would not eat, and I had no access to live clams for them.

I do know they will pick at your clam most probably, because I've seen one do it in Keith's tanks over at Aquatic Design... it nailed that clam once ever five minutes the whole time I was there.

Should you buy one, insure you see the thing eat brine shrimp and look very carefully for whitish globs on the fins... they're very susceptable to disease.

I'm assuming you have excellent water quality... these fish are delicate.

And mine was severely harrassed by my yellow tang because of the similar shape and the fact that tangs just like to harrass other fish!

Hope this helps. I really love CB Butterflies, but won't keep one because I just know it will pick at my clam and then die from some problem or another.

 

[Guest]

I have had my copperband for over 3 years now. This fish is great in that it does not bother my sps or clams. I do have to keep my clams in the rock structure or it will nip the mantle but long as their in the rocks I'm fine.

This copperband is a mysis eating machine. It has eaten since day one when I got it from Keith. It was about the size of a quarter and has been through 1 very serious disease that almost lead me to pull the fish out of the tank. It was so sick. It has made an amazing comeback and now will let me pet it. I'm sure this is due to my not deciding to euthanize the fish for looking so bad and my sticking it out with the fish. :?

The fish is Thankfully back to it's sassy self.

If you do want to try a copperband I can only echo what aqua-nut said in being absolutely sure the fish is eating. I'd go so far as to make sure it is eating mysis shrimp. They like lots of swimming area and lots of fan worms will go bye-bye. Mine also doesn't touch aiptasia, but I'll take it's beauty over that any day.

 

[toefu]

thanks for the great replies. I also think they are really beautiful fish. But I also have a lot of corals in the tank that could be liabilities.. I'm considering trying it still, but just kinda worried. My yellow tang picks on the lawnmower from time to time, but never really attacks it seriously like other fish i've raised in the past.

 

[Guest]

I have never had a problems with copperbands. Everyone I have seen has been pretty hardy, and they are one of, if not the most reef safe butterfly you can get.

 

[Guest]

FWIW, Keith at Aquatic Designs has a good eatting, good looking copperband right now. He has had it for several weeks and is doing great.

I saw it last saturday and it was still there this morning. If you want to try one this one is asking for a good home.

 

[toefu]

doh, If I'd known earlier, I probably would've given that one a try. I just purchased a copperband from aquatic center. It seems to be eating fine, but I'll have to see how he does at home.

Thus far, the yellow tang is giving it a hard time, but my yellow tang doesn't really harass things long term. Let's see how he eats in a few days.