Copperband Butterfly

[michelle]

Wow,
I am glad I saw this thread. My LFS has one that will apparently be "perfect" in my tank. I had no idea they have such a terrible survival rate. Silly me-I thought it would be a hardier choice then a mandarin. Thanks guys!

[Doc]

they are tough fish to keep alive. I think the draw is that they are the only butterfly fish that is reef safe. I just think they are super pretty. I am a fan of them but know the risk. I keep telling myself I will not get one again but here I am.

[Bifferwine]

Good choice to avoid it, Michelle. Most people that have a copperband butterfly fish only use it long enough to eat their aiptasia and then pass it on to someone else who needs it. They rarely live longer than a couple months in our tanks.

[reeffreak]

I ordered one from the LFS last week.It arrived at the fish store DOA.

I have a really bad aiptasia problem so I ordered another.I saw this butterfly at Liveaquaria,what a beauty and suppose to be much,much easier to keep than Copperbands.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...236&pcatid=236

[Alexander]

wow that's one expensive butterfly! better hope that thing stays alive or your really out some cash

[reeffreak]

Oh no,I didn't buy that butterfly.If I didn't have aiptasia problem then I would buy it.It's another copperband for me.

[hobbyguy]

doc hang in there with that cbb there great fish but are known to pick at some corals and clams my friend had one that lived for a year and a half so that might be a recorded but then he noticed that it was always picking at his calm but we did notice that he ate good but was shy and skidish at times then one day i went over to see his tank and was there for about a hour and looked up and its like setting next to a piece of his live rock on its side (so not sure if died on the age or was upset with tank and it just rejected him )but they seem to be spoke easy so may been from stress so i can say about them i think with good food supply and time and maybe make him see you alot may help matters alot
he should be fine just keep an eye on him and good luck

[fishbait]

I just recently tried one. he lived for 2 weeks. he ate like a champ at the lfs. I brought him home and he wouldn't eat anything but my nacarrious snails. once they were gone. he kicked the bucket.

[Alexander]

that's really weird that it ate your snails. I never once saw mine pick at snails

[Doc]

my guy is over a month old and he is still rocking the tank. He devours food, he loves marine cuisine and angel / butterfly portions. He looks fat and plump and I hope that he keeps it up. I can only hope. the downside is that he won't touch my aptasia. I am starting to breed it and it is pissing me off. My peppermint shrimp won't eat my aptasia either. bastards.

-Doc