Copperband butterflyfish

IGROZOAS · Oct 9, 2015

Anyone here have one and how did you get it to eat?

Humblefish · Oct 9, 2015

IMO & E; they are one of the hardest fish to get eating sometimes. Assuming you've already tried the usual frozen foods (PE mysis, Rod's, LRS); your best bet would be live blackworms. Also try feeding a littleneck clam or black mussel (from the grocery store.)

ReefMadScientist · Oct 9, 2015

I had one and ate like a champ. Just have to get one that is eating frozen food.

When I added a Clown Tang, it ended up killing my butterfly by pestering it. Hate that decision I made.

Reefloco760 · Oct 9, 2015

I gave mine fish egg and he loves that now

Reefloco760 · Oct 9, 2015

Like the fish eggs you see on top of sushi, great source of protein as well

tripdad · Oct 9, 2015

Mine eats Hikari mysis like a champ, first one to the feeding spot. He will only eat the "whole" mysis shrimps, not the pieces.

IGROZOAS · Oct 9, 2015

Thanks for the info everyone I think I will try them all.

saltykisses · Oct 11, 2015

Feed a mussel everyday for about 2 months , then reduce mussels and slowly it should start to feed with the other fishes ...

Oh and what I do I feed like a mix of Byrne,krill Pacifica,mysis..Rotifers,lobster eggs ...

I just keep a few bits frozen in a takeaway carton ... And chop a few bits and put it in a shot glass defrost in ro water and then feed fish as normal...

IGROZOAS · Oct 12, 2015

Do you chopped the mussels up or do you leave them whole when you open the shell?

saltykisses · Oct 12, 2015

Buy them from the fish counter, take them home and freeze them..when you want to feed copperband, what you do is take A mussel out let it defrost in reverse osmosis water for about say 10 minutes, that should be enough to start it opening a bit.. Then you get a small knife wedge it in the crack of its mouth and open it a tiny little bit, just enough so CB can get is beak in...

That's basically it, your reproducing fishes natural hunting and gathering desire, but eventually, hopefully the fish will see the food that goes in at the water surface as game also then begin eating it but it's imperative that you mix up a few different foods so he/she can pick up ones they like, also if you leave your powerheads on he may just snap out offrustration realise why I actually like that and begin to eat[emoji3][emoji111]️

Hope this helps

Reab · Oct 12, 2015

I read in a reefing magazine that people took a piece of PVC and drilled holes in it, throw some food in there, cap the ends and toss it in. Apparently this helps simulate their natural predatory instinct. They like to take their time, line up and then attack

saltykisses · Oct 12, 2015

Reab said:
I read in a reefing magazine that people took a piece of PVC and drilled holes in it, throw some food in there, cap the ends and toss it in. Apparently this helps simulate their natural predatory instinct. They like to take their time, line up and then attack

This is quite true... Same principle the copper band hunting as a
Opposed to being fed...

IGROZOAS · Oct 12, 2015

saltykisses said:
Buy them from the fish counter, take them home and freeze them..when you want to feed copperband, what you do is take A mussel out let it defrost in reverse osmosis water for about say 10 minutes, that should be enough to start it opening a bit.. Then you get a small knife wedge it in the crack of its mouth and open it a tiny little bit, just enough so CB can get is beak in...

That's basically it, your reproducing fishes natural hunting and gathering desire, but eventually, hopefully the fish will see the food that goes in at the water surface as game also then begin eating it but it's imperative that you mix up a few different foods so he/she can pick up ones they like, also if you leave your powerheads on he may just snap out offrustration realise why I actually like that and begin to eat[emoji3][emoji111]️

Hope this helps

Thanks n yes this help a lot. So far I have him eating clams which is a good sign. I just went out n bought 2lbs of mussels and threw them in my freezer. I got some hikari mysis also. I rather feed him mussels because it is a lot cheaper than clams. So I will introduce him to the mussels tomorrow. He's always on the hunt so it's a good sign. I do have 100 little feather dusters on my sandbed which was the original intentions to buy this fish. But he hasn't touch one of them at all. But overall the personality of this fish is awesome and it's pretty to look at. Thanks for the info again.

ocean gems · Oct 12, 2015

Never had luck with them

pickupman66 · Oct 12, 2015

I had one that was super healthy when I got him but didnt eat prepared foods for 2 months or so. I was fortunate to have a TON of aptasia in the tank so it fed on those for a long time. it then went exclusively to Mysis. it eat the tails and spit the heads out. go figure. I had mine for 2 or 3 years but sold it when I downsized tanks.

mfinn · Oct 13, 2015

Hykari Mysis

Paul B · Oct 13, 2015

Keeping them for 40 years. I wrote an article about them.
http://www.saltwatersmarts.com/succeed-with-copperband-butterflyfish-chelmon-rostratus-2888/

rinckemd · Oct 13, 2015

+1 to all the comments about the black mussels. I've been feeding mine 1 a day or so since I got it a month back. Just open one up and tie it to a rock with a rubberband so it doesn't get knocked around.

bnguyen714 · Oct 14, 2015

I use a turkey baster and let it come and eat from it. I find that it is nervous when other fish are at a frenzy and will swim away from floating food to avoid the commotion. I feed it mysis and LRS Reef Freenzy.

oh207 · Oct 17, 2015

I was fortunate to get one from the LFS that was eating Mysis. Since then I've been feeding Mysis, black worms, and fresh whole clams. His favorites are blackworms and the fresh clam.