CBB experiences

[Andresnyc93]

No, literally he was there a few days I saw him and told myself no. I knew how the story of me and CBB ends so I was not looking to get him. Fast forward three weeks he was still there and kicking the purple tang and Naso tangs butt and out eating them. That’s when I decided to give this one more try. I think having a CBB that’s able to hold their ground is half the battle. If it’s too shy it doesn’t even try to compete for food in my past experience

Yes I’ve been told to ask the LFS to feed to see which ones are already eating frozen and also not to get one that just arrived to the store due to shipping stress

 

[Auflyfish]

NOOOO clams with CBB. It will eventually turn into a clam murdering machine, and you will have gotten a very very expensive treat for it lol.

This is a very,very expensive lesson I have learned. I keep the shell of “Little John” my 7 inch maxima as a reminder of the pain I felt when I saw my CBB chilling in his hollowed out shell

 

[LosReef]

I was asking about flow only for a feeding purpose, Flow makes food mimic looking like a worm. Especially mysis. I know that sounds crazy, but I dont think mine would have gotten onto frozen foods if not for moderate/ high flow in some areas.

Makes perfect sense. I put food in front of my powerheads. Allows everyone a chance at food and keep them busy searching for food for a while after. Definitely resembles the live food.

 

[Bucs20fan]

The one I bought was after turning two others down. The CBB I bought eagerly ate live black worms and live brine shrimp. I knew I could get black worms online so I bought it. But what honestly sold it to me was how it looked like it really really wanted to eat mysis but wouldnt. So I knew with enough effort I could get that one onto mysis.

 

[Auflyfish]

Yes I’ve been told to ask the LFS to feed to see which ones are already eating frozen and also not to get one that just arrived to the store due to shipping stress

That is a key, however the CBB needs to be A.) housed with another fish so you can see it compete.
B.) attacking the food not just pecking it off the ground and spitting it out.
C.) like you said have been there for at least a few days.
D.) you have seen it eat a few times.
the last point is I would go to the store in different occasions and ask them to feed the fish if it ate well a couple times then I’d get it. Just be prepared to put a deposit or something so that it doesn’t get sold out from under you

 

[Andresnyc93]

That is a key, however the CBB needs to be A.) housed with another fish so you can see it compete.
B.) attacking the food not just pecking it off the ground and spitting it out.
C.) like you said have been there for at least a few days.
D.) you have seen it eat a few times.
the last point is I would go to the store in different occasions and ask them to feed the fish if it ate well a couple times then I’d get it. Just be prepared to put a deposit or something so that it doesn’t get sold out from under you

Thank you very much this has been very helpful! Will update thread when I find a healthy fatty CBB.

 

[Bucs20fan]

That is a key, however the CBB needs to be A.) housed with another fish so you can see it compete.
B.) attacking the food not just pecking it off the ground and spitting it out.
C.) like you said have been there for at least a few days.
D.) you have seen it eat a few times.
the last point is I would go to the store in different occasions and ask them to feed the fish if it ate well a couple times then I’d get it. Just be prepared to put a deposit or something so that it doesn’t get sold out from under you

100% agree, If that is an instruction list for buying a CBB that would be it. My only caveat to it would be my LFS does not keep them with other fish due to the other tanks being treated with copper and we all know they dont tolerate copper well.

 

[Auflyfish]

Just remember the chunkier it is the more of a safety net you have if it decides to stop eating for a day or two from stress

 

[i cant think]

I think the biggest part of failure with these fish is QT. They really don’t handle any chemical too well.

 

[Andresnyc93]

I think the biggest part of failure with these fish is QT. They really don’t handle any chemical too well.

This is why I’m going to try to get one that’s healthy and just hope for the best.

 

[Bucs20fan]

This is why I’m going to try to get one that’s healthy and just hope for the best.

Agreed, the healthier the better, besides some real nasties they can recover and fight a lot off on their own if they’re healthy.

 

[jtf74]

Have live blackworms, whiteworms, seafood store clams ready. Find one already eating if at all possible. Had mine a couple years. Was qt'd without meds 90 days observation only in established tank w/ aipasia and pods and fattened up without competition. In DT now it eats aiptasia from my fingers. Helps to turn off flow when feeding. CBB's eat a lot and are aggressive eaters once they settle in. My favorite fish but does take some effort.

 

[Andresnyc93]

Have live blackworms, whiteworms, seafood store clams ready. Find one already eating if at all possible. Had mine a couple years. Was qt'd without meds 90 days observation only in established tank w/ aipasia and pods and fattened up without competition. In DT now it eats aiptasia from my fingers. Helps to turn off flow when feeding. CBB's eat a lot and are aggressive eaters once they settle in. My favorite fish but does take some effort.

That’s awesome, do you put the clams and worms somewhere in particular? I have a couple of aptasia on my tank and some on my overflow so I know he’ll always have those to snack on

 

[i cant think]

My CBB doesn’t care about flow, he quite happily plays in it by swimming up and then almost “Giving up” and gliding back. What I’ve found in terms of key to success are;
- Minimal QT
- plenty of good well-established microfauna
- Variety of food

I don’t target feed mine and instead I will spread the food in the middle of the tank and let the pumps deal it between everyone. The fish love it and have a buffet, I’ll also feed some algae and he will peck at it along with the foxface and tang. Their swiming pattern is interesting as when they hunt they will sometimes turn their body upside down to get their nose into a hole in the rock. Here’s mine, the top photo is her hunting and the bottom is her begging/waiting for food.

 

[Andresnyc93]

My CBB doesn’t care about flow, he quite happily plays in it by swimming up and then almost “Giving up” and gliding back. What I’ve found in terms of key to success are;
- Minimal QT
- plenty of good well-established microfauna
- Variety of food

I don’t target feed mine and instead I will spread the food in the middle of the tank and let the pumps deal it between everyone. The fish love it and have a buffet, I’ll also feed some algae and he will peck at it along with the foxface and tang. Their swiming pattern is interesting as when they hunt they will sometimes turn their body upside down to get their nose into a hole in the rock. Here’s mine, the top photo is her hunting and the bottom is her begging/waiting for food.

Beautiful fish! Thanks for sharing