Copper Band Butterfly

Oscaror · May 8, 2015

I just got a CBB to take care of my aiptasia infestation, but also because it's a beautiful fish. So I don't want to get rid of it once my aiptasia problem is over.
So what's the best way to entice it to eat prepared foods? These aiptasias have reached plague proportions, but still aren't enough to sustain this little guy.

Any ideas?

Here's an un-helpful picture of him:

carl page · May 8, 2015

My gut feeling through it all is this .... Nothing is guaranteed... He may not eat your apataia.. Just be prepared for plan b

carl page · May 8, 2015

But I do agree a very nice addition to the tank

Oscaror · May 8, 2015

I saw him eat aiptasia at the store, but I know (and they made sure to tell me) he didn't eat (seeing how it was the day after he got shipped in)

Oscaror · May 8, 2015

I'm just really hoping he takes to prepared food

carl page · May 8, 2015

I'm sure he will after aptasia gone

mfinn · May 8, 2015

My copperbanded butterfly eats Mysis, frozen brine, and roe occasionally.
Wish he would go after the majanos that just popped up.

Oscaror · May 8, 2015

mfinn said:
My copperbanded butterfly eats Mysis, frozen brine, and roe occasionally.
Wish he would go after the majanos that just popped up.

Did you have trouble getting it to eat?

Aquaph8 · May 8, 2015

They do really well on live black worms if you can source them, other than that Hikari mysis is a staple. I've never had too much issue getting these guys to eat, but they are terrible about competing for food with anything that intimidates them (like tangs) Allmost always they would rather starve than show any toughness.

mfinn · May 8, 2015

Oscaror said:
Did you have trouble getting it to eat?

nope. I watched it eat at the store.
Oh, and I forgot, it loves Hykari frozen blood worms.

eatbreakfast · May 8, 2015

I have had success getting picky copperbands to eat using clams, even if he is eating other foods it makes for a nice treat.

Oscaror · May 8, 2015

eatbreakfast said:
I have had success getting picky copperbands to eat using clams, even if he is eating other foods it makes for a nice treat.

they eat CLAMS? O_O Not maximas right?

eatbreakfast · May 8, 2015

Oscaror said:
they eat CLAMS? O_O Not maximas right?

They can in some instances, though I have never had it happen. I was referring to clams on the half shell, a treat most fish that dont normally pick at healthy, living clams will enjoy.

Oscaror · May 8, 2015

eatbreakfast said:
They can in some instances, though I have never had it happen. I was referring to clams on the half shell, a treat most fish that dont normally pick at healthy, living clams will enjoy.

Okay good

Humblefish · May 9, 2015

Mine eats mysis, clam, LRS foods, etc. But he really goes nuts over live blackworms. They also hunt for pods.

As Aquaph8 mentioned above, they don't handle aggression or even competition for food from other fish well. They are kinda slow, deliberate feeders.

Oscaror · May 9, 2015

Humblefish said:
Mine eats mysis, clam, LRS foods, etc. But he really goes nuts over live blackworms. They also hunt for pods.

As @Aquaph8 mentioned above, they don't handle aggression or even competition for food from other fish well. They are kinda slow, deliberate feeders.

My fish are agressive eaters, but they just bunch up in one spot and eat. I'm sure the copperband can eat the plethora of food that goes past them.

arashsheikhpoor · May 9, 2015

It takes some time but I guess keep trying to spot feed it with the suggestions above and eventually it might come around. I've actually been looking at the cbb for some time but have heard they are kind of hard to deal with. Let me know how it goes

Oscaror · May 10, 2015

Found my shrimp eating it this morning, don't know what went wrong

miyags · May 10, 2015

Try raw table shrimp or scallops cut up in tiny pieces. Then have some for yourself. My CB is bigger now and eats every thing. raw shrimp are alot cheaper than mysis pound per pound.

goldy26 · May 10, 2015

i have had my go at a few of these guys, they are my favorite fish so it's hard for me to give up on them. the first one i ever had ate frozen anything. one ICH problem later and he was gone. the last 2 i have tried wouldn't eat frozen at all, not even react to it. best bet is to see if they are eating in the store before getting. i've read one article which put cubes of food in a PBC pipe that had caps on either end with drilled holes so that a CBB could pick at food through it. i guess that works a good amount of the time, i never tried it though.