copperband butterfly fish

[reefjunkie01]

hey guys--looking to see if anyone has a copperband in a coral tank--i have a 55 gallon coral tank--mostly mushrooms--some other softies--clams and few hard corals--brains--featherdusters--i have clowns,chromis--cleaner shrimp and yellow//naso tangs--i know the butterfly will eat the featherdusters--but will it be ok with the rest of things--any feedback would be appreciated--thanks again

 

[S Hunter]

Thats a lot of fish for a 55 IMO (sorry).. CB's need room to swim and with those tangs, space seems like it would be tight.

 

[JayM]

they're also pretty delicate, and do not have a great survival rate. If you do change your other fish, and decide to add one, make sure you see it eat at the LFS where you buy it

 

[naturebatslast]

As Jay said, it's very delicate and would be much happier in a larger tank.

 

[JohnK]

Yup, what they said.

It's hard to find a really healthy CBB, and even if you do they don't tolerate busy tanks well at all. (two tangs in a 55 is really "busy")

I'd strongly reccomend not trying it.

 

[Blueflu1]

I have a 90 and I won't get anything larger then a yellow tang for mine, nevermind a yellow, naso and a CBB. I would hold off on the CBB.

 

[~Flighty~]

I echo what the others have said. The corals will be fine, but the outlook for a CBB (unless you remove the tangs first) would be slim.

 

[reefjunkie01]

thanks for all the info--will hold off on copperband--will probably just get a couple pieces of coral instead

 

[Joel A]

i actually just picked one up today...

But i had to think very long and hard about it, they are very timid fish, and don't like to be bothered by other fish at all. To get a very healthy one is very hard to do, and getting them to eat properly is a challenge as well.

I've got my fingers crossed that this one will be OK.

I think you made the right choice.

Shame that they are so delicate, they are beautiful.

 

[JayM]

they are very timid fish, and don't like to be bothered by other fish at all.

no, they sure don't. on my second try, I had one for a year+ that did well, ate well, and even ate aiptasia. Then we HAD TO get the purple tang my daughter 'had to' have. 1 week later, dead CBB, and 1 very pissed off (but a little wiser) reefer.

To get a very healthy one is very hard to do, and getting them to eat properly is a challenge as well.

3 tries after the second healthy fish. all of them ate @ the LFS, all of them QT'd for 4 or more weeks, then acclimated in my tied-in time-out tank so the chemistry would be exactly right for 2 more weeks. Re-scaped the tank at their introduction, 0/3 on survival

I've got my fingers crossed that this one will be OK.

I think you made the right choice.

I wish you luck with your new one.

Shame that they are so delicate, they are beautiful.

Couldn't agree more. One of my favorites. However, since I have now killed 5 of them, (4 I considered my fault, the first one was sick when I got it) I can't do it again.

 

[Joel A]

well good news so far i guess (knock on every piece of wood near me) only 3.5 hours after a long drip acclimation he is out and about the tank picking at the sand and rocks...

 

[Joel A]

sorry for stealing the thread, but since it's already here.. just thought i'd update on the progress of mine.

It's doing well thus far, it was out not long after acclimation scavenging like i said... now that the lights are off in the tank, but the lights are still on in the room, it's VERY active... odd?

It's pacing around the tank.. lol

Well at least it's got some life in it =)

 

[~Flighty~]

Look really close at his beak for signs of damage. Even in an otherwise really healthy CBB this can be a killer. Picking at rocks is a crucial sign of good health and being active when the tank lights are off and the room light is on is normal at first. Be really cognisant of glass reflections. This can freak out a CBB. I usually leave my glass dirty for a week before getting one and make sure not to have a dark room and bright tank.

 

[Chuck Spyropulos]

I had a CBB for 3 years an then he mysteriously disappeared.
Anyway, they are great fish and very peaceful. As far as where to get one, Tropic Isle usually has healthy specimens that are eating Mysis.

 

[jr_reefdweller]

I had a CBB for 3 years an then he mysteriously disappeared.
Anyway, they are great fish and very peaceful. As far as where to get one, Tropic Isle usually has healthy specimens that are eating Mysis.

Jumped? Happened to ours that we had for 1+ years. Which really sucks be cause he ate all our aiptasia and EVEN ATE OUT OF MY HAND. The only thing he ate though was scallops. I have never (besides our puffer) seen a fish beg for food like he would.

 

[Chuck Spyropulos]

Cbb

Jumped? Happened to ours that we had for 1+ years. Which really sucks be cause he ate all our aiptasia and EVEN ATE OUT OF MY HAND. The only thing he ate though was scallops. I have never (besides our puffer) seen a fish beg for food like he would.

No mine didn't jump. He just dissapeared- must have died inside the rocks. Yes these fish are really amazing. Mine also ate from my hand. He ate everything including nori from the seaweed clip! He never showed any signs whatsoever of disease so it was just "one of those things" I guess. I do miss not having a CBB and I will most likely get another at some point.

 

[jr_reefdweller]

The second I find a healthy one I'm grabbing it.

 

[naturebatslast]

The second I find a healthy one I'm grabbing it.

Famous words, and sadly it will, mostly likely, disappear (most likely it died and your cleanup ate it post-haste) again.

 

[jrmx635]

coperband

and since it was mentioned that you have clams and featherdusters,I just want to say,you won't have them anymore once a cbb is added.
I wouldn't put one in a 55 either,they definately don't like crowding in.

 

[jbishop]

No way, I would say the tank is too small even for the current livestock

Glad to hear it's looking up Joel.