Copperband or pyramid butterfly fish

[Atherial]

I'd like to get a butterfly fish soon and I'm debating between the copperband versus the pyramid butterfly fish. The copperband is much more readily available but the pyramid is supposed to be more reef safe. So is it worth it to try to find a pyramid or should I just take my chances with the copperband?

 

[oreolk]

Pyramids are definitely easier to care for and reef safe. Copperbands can be more difficult to get eating. I have 4 pyramids in my reef and they are active little pigs. By far my favorite fish.

 

[Gtinnel]

I would personally pick the pyramid unless unless you’re really wanting a copperband.

If you do decide to get a copperband make sure to read up on ways to try to get them eating before getting one. Just going to a store and buying a copperband without being prepared will usually end badly.

 

[Atherial]

Yeah, I'm not partial to one or the other, I just noticed that one of my lfs gets in copperbands fairly often but I'd never seen a pyramid. I'll have to see if I can order it.

 

[Gtinnel]

As hard as copperbands are to get eating I would definitely not pick it just because of convenience. I love copperbands and sometimes I question if it is worth the hassle.

 

[exnisstech]

I have a local store that's is salt only, more fish than coral. They do not sell thier CBBs they get untill they are eating. It's where I bought mine 7 months ago. Personally I would not buy one unless I see it is eating first. I just don't have the set up to work with a single fish to get it to eat.

 

[Gtinnel]

I have a local store that's is salt only, more fish than coral. They do not sell thier CBBs they get untill they are eating. It's where I bought mine 7 months ago. Personally I would not buy one unless I see it is eating first. I just don't have the set up to work with a single fish to get it to eat.

I spent months with my CBB in a tank by itself getting it to finally eat well and a couple of weeks ago I moved it over to my display tank. It got chased by several of my fish for a day but now gets ignored, but I’m guessing the change in tank has stressed it to where it isn’t eating as well as before.
If it passes and I decide to try again I may reach out to you about what store that is.

 

[exnisstech]

I spent months with my CBB in a tank by itself getting it to finally eat well and a couple of weeks ago I moved it over to my display tank. It got chased by several of my fish for a day but now gets ignored, but I’m guessing the change in tank has stressed it to where it isn’t eating as well as before.
If it passes and I decide to try again I may reach out to you about what store that is.

Hopefully it makes it. If it doesn't and you want let me know and I'll go to the store and check stock for you and verify fish are eating, get pics etc. I'm getting ready to move mine to my 180. I'm waiting on one of THESE I'm hoping to train it to eat out of it before moving it so it won't have to compete with the tangs for food.

 

[Gtinnel]

Hopefully it makes it. If it doesn't and you want let me know and I'll go to the store and check stock for you and verify fish are eating, get pics etc. I'm getting ready to move mine to my 180. I'm waiting on one of THESE I'm hoping to train it to eat out of it before moving it so it won't have to compete with the tangs for food.

I regret not getting mine to eat out of one of those before moving it over. It was aggressively eating in qt so I wasn’t too worried about it. If I do decide to find out about the store you’re talking about I’ll PM you.

 

[Biokabe]

Definitely go with the pyramid if you can find one. They are spendy (I paid $150 for mine), but well worth it. It was eating from day 1, and definitely one of the cooler fish I have. Never picked at a coral, but I think mine eats aiptasia - I have no shortage of the jerks in my sump, but not a single one in my display. I saw one rear its head one day, but it was gone two days later.

As I understand it they don't eat aiptasia as reliably as CBB do, but they are much easier to care for overall.

 

[odariel]

I love both, bit as Biokabe said one advantage about the copperband is that it loves to eat aiptasia. So if u get one that eats and thrives in your reef tank , you will also have a nice pest control for aiptasia too... However, forget about getting christmas trees with a CBB. First thing he will go after.

 

[i cant think]

I'd like to get a butterfly fish soon and I'm debating between the copperband versus the pyramid butterfly fish. The copperband is much more readily available but the pyramid is supposed to be more reef safe. So is it worth it to try to find a pyramid or should I just take my chances with the copperband?

What did you go for?
I would personally grab a CBB, they’re worth the risk and if you plan for angels then you’ll likely wind up risking corals anyway.
I have a Mixed Reef with 3-4 RSWC fish. My newest fish may not have gone into the tank had I not already been risking corals.
A 3 RSWC fish (in order of introduction) are;
Siganus magnificus (Magnificent Foxface)
Chelmon rostratum (Copperband Butterfly)
Pygoplites diacanthus flavescens (RS Regal Angel)

So, really it depends what other fish you plan for. I personally find if you plan for other RSWC fish then it’s pointless trying to go for the more reef safe option.

 

[OrionN]

CBB all the way. Such beautiful and useful fish.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I like both nut Copperband much nicer looking as mine is striking under the lighting but Pyramid is easier to feed and adapt to new tank setting

 

[Rmckoy]

I have always loved butterflyfish .
they are all very pretty but that comes with many challenges .
most are hard to get eating or stress easy

red tail butterflyfish (Pakistan)are pretty
perhaps my next build will be all butterflyfish or angelfish .

 

[saltyhog]

I've kept both and would hate to have to choose between the two.

 

[jp_75]

What is the minimum tank side for Pyramid? Way easier to keep Butterfly imo

 

[Zionas]

I would say minimum of a 4ft tank if started small but 5ft and up is better, they are a bit more open water than the Copperbands I think (which still need minimum of a 4’ x 2’. My opinion.

 

[Tdog4413]

I love both, bit as Biokabe said one advantage about the copperband is that it loves to eat aiptasia. So if u get one that eats and thrives in your reef tank , you will also have a nice pest control for aiptasia too... However, forget about getting christmas trees with a CBB. First thing he will go after.

Don't count on cbb to eat aitapsia. Yes i have had some do it and others ignore it like the plague. It comes down to were fish were collected. Those from Australia and Singapore are more reliable and ultimately higher$.