Copper band refusing to eat!!!

The new fish on the block · Mar 23, 2019

Hi all,
Last week I had to remove all of my fish to treat for ich and I only saw my copperband pick at the rock in the Dt but in the Qt I don’t have any rock in there. I’ve tried feeding it frozen, clams, frozen bloodworms and live Blackworms but he just won’t eat. Any suggestions? Thanks

Flippers4pups · Mar 23, 2019

Try clam on the half shell.

The new fish on the block · Mar 23, 2019

Flippers4pups said:
Try clam on the half shell.

I have, and he looks interested, then he just swims away leaving it for the other fish to eat

Flippers4pups · Mar 23, 2019

You could try garlic with the clam. Unfortunately they are difficult to get to eat.

Huff747 · Mar 23, 2019

Have any mastick? Mine didn’t seem to care for the mastick itself but I mixed in some live worms (white worms in my case) and stuck it to a frag plug. Kept the worms from floating around the tank and gave him something to pick at.

The new fish on the block · Mar 23, 2019

I don’t sadly, but I think I saw a recipie somewhere on how to make it

Jason mack · Mar 23, 2019

Get some muscles and just smash a couple and throw them in ...mine goes berserk when I do it ...

ShaunRobinson · Mar 23, 2019

A mussel opened about half way and rubberband to a small piece of rock rubble may work. Other than that, Easyreefs Masstick.

Triggreef · Mar 23, 2019

Jason mack said:
Get some muscles and just smash a couple and throw them in ...mine goes berserk when I do it ...

live your saying? Might be worth a shot.
I have 2 newer ones eating blackworms but it took a couple weeks of everyday offerings before they would try them. They still won't touch any frozen.

ShaunRobinson · Mar 23, 2019

I just use a frozen mussel but live will be fine. my copperband never ate flake at all but he did take to frozen mysis. I’ve never seen one touch flake.

If he is being outcompeted for the food you put in then a feeder pipe may be worth trying. You need to get him feeding as soon as you can though as there seems to be a point of no return for them.

Jason mack · Mar 23, 2019

Triggreef said:
live your saying? Might be worth a shot.
I have 2 newer ones eating blackworms but it took a couple weeks of everyday offerings before they would try them. They still won't touch any frozen.

Yes live ....I collect from the beach ...wash in rodi water....smash with hammer and toss them in ......

The new fish on the block · Mar 23, 2019

Just wanted to let everyone know that my copperband has taken a turn for the worst. Before I left to get some mussels and clams he started laying on his side so I put him in my 10 gal nano ( only has 2 clowns in it) away from the bigger fish in QT and him the option of of a clam or a mussel. So far I haven’t seen him eat. I hope he makes it through the night . He is swimming as I type this so I have some hope.

Jason mack · Mar 23, 2019

The new fish on the block said:
Just wanted to let everyone know that my copperband has taken a turn for the worst. Before I left to get some mussels and clams he started laying on his side so I put him in my 10 gal nano ( only has 2 clowns in it) away from the bigger fish in QT and him the option of of a clam or a mussel. So far I haven’t seen him eat. I hope he makes it through the night . He is swimming as I type this so I have some hope.

I hope he makes it too.....mine is by far my favourite fish in my tank...lots of personality...fingers and thumbs crossed for you ...

Mjrenz · Mar 24, 2019

The new fish on the block said:
Just wanted to let everyone know that my copperband has taken a turn for the worst. Before I left to get some mussels and clams he started laying on his side so I put him in my 10 gal nano ( only has 2 clowns in it) away from the bigger fish in QT and him the option of of a clam or a mussel. So far I haven’t seen him eat. I hope he makes it through the night . He is swimming as I type this so I have some hope.

Any update? There are a few resident experts we can tag if you need them

wesman42 · Mar 24, 2019

The new fish on the block said:
Just wanted to let everyone know that my copperband has taken a turn for the worst. Before I left to get some mussels and clams he started laying on his side so I put him in my 10 gal nano ( only has 2 clowns in it) away from the bigger fish in QT and him the option of of a clam or a mussel. So far I haven’t seen him eat. I hope he makes it through the night . He is swimming as I type this so I have some hope.

Unfortunately this is par for the course on most copper bands. I went through 2 that wouldn't eat before I called it quits.

4FordFamily · Mar 24, 2019

Live mussels, live blackworms, clam on a halfshell, masstick, and live brine are your best bets, and in that order. Low stress and clean water helps.

Feed and step back. If ammonia is present or aggressive feeders/boisterous fish are present it may not feed.

The new fish on the block · Mar 24, 2019

Mjrenz said:
Any update? There are a few resident experts we can tag if you need them

I wish I could give a good update but sadly he didnt make through the night . I might try another one down the road but it will probly be after all of my other fish get out of QT. Thank you all for your help.

Jason mack · Mar 24, 2019

The new fish on the block said:
I wish I could give a good update but sadly he didnt make through the night . I might try another one down the road but it will probly be after all of my other fish get out of QT. Thank you all for your help.

Dang ...!!! I'm sorry for your loss ....

Mjrenz · Mar 25, 2019

The new fish on the block said:
I wish I could give a good update but sadly he didnt make through the night . I might try another one down the road but it will probly be after all of my other fish get out of QT. Thank you all for your help.

Sorry to hear about that, copper bands are usually a 50/50 shot on survival

jsvand5 · Mar 25, 2019

They are tough. I was going to suggest dividing the QT so the CB would be in a section by itself until it got eating really well. From the sound of it yours was likely already weak before going into QT. Once they are really eating well I have found them to be able to compete fine with aggressive eaters.