Powder brown tang beating up copperband butterfly

[A;exr54]

Just wanted to share.
Just got a copperband butterfly that looks very healthy.
My tank is well established (about 8 years).
I have an old powder brown tang that is dominate.

About a year ago I added a tomini tang.
The PBT beat the crap out of it. I didn’t think it would make it. Could see bite marks on fins.
But it did make it. It’s actually doubled in size and is great now. Amazing coloration.

The PBT went after the copperband butterfly I just put in. Started beating the crap out of it like it did the tomini. But the copperband is slower.
Now the copperband is on top of the waterline in a corner. Looks like it’s scared as heck to swim.
The PBT looks like it lost interest for now.
But I am afraid it will attack again if the copperband decides to explore.

I am debating if I should separate the copperband and put it in a holding acclimation container. I would like it to find its way and get used to the tank itself.

Oh it’s a 125g mixed reef. Filled with lots of live rock and caves.

 

[Miami Reef]

Powder tangs are one of the most aggressive tangs. They attack most laterally compressed fish, which includes a Copperband.

This is not likely to end up well for the Copperband, since they are slow feeders and need peaceful tank mates. If they are stressed out from tankmates, they will most likely refuse to eat.

 

[A;exr54]

Powder tangs are one of the most aggressive tangs. They attack most laterally compressed fish, which includes a Copperband.

This is not likely to end up well for the Copperband, since they are slow feeders and need peaceful tank mates. If they are stressed out from tankmates, they will most likely refuse to eat.

I have saw many successful tanks with both types of fish.
so I am trying my hand at it.

 

[Miami Reef]

I have saw many successful tanks with both types of fish.
so I am trying my hand at it.

Good luck!

 

[aherre07]

I would have definitely used an acclimation box for a few days prior to full release in the tank.

 

[ApoIsland]

Just wanted to share.
Just got a copperband butterfly that looks very healthy.
My tank is well established (about 8 years).
I have an old powder brown tang that is dominate.

About a year ago I added a tomini tang.
The PBT beat the crap out of it. I didn’t think it would make it. Could see bite marks on fins.
But it did make it. It’s actually doubled in size and is great now. Amazing coloration.

The PBT went after the copperband butterfly I just put in. Started beating the crap out of it like it did the tomini. But the copperband is slower.
Now the copperband is on top of the waterline in a corner. Looks like it’s scared as heck to swim.
The PBT looks like it lost interest for now.
But I am afraid it will attack again if the copperband decides to explore.

I am debating if I should separate the copperband and put it in a holding acclimation container. I would like it to find its way and get used to the tank itself.

Oh it’s a 125g mixed reef. Filled with lots of live rock and caves.

I would put the tang in the acclimation box and let the CBB swim free for a few days.

 

[A;exr54]

I would put the tang in the acclimation box and let the CBB swim free for a few days.

It’s not possible to catch the tang without ripping apart the entire tank. Which is not happening

But I would also prefer this.

 

[A;exr54]

I would have definitely used an acclimation box for a few days prior to full release in the tank.

It’s still an option.
The copperband looks freighted to swim. But otherwise looks ok.
Im going to wait until lights on tomorrow. If it still looks like the tang is being agreesive I will use the box.

 

[ApoIsland]

It’s not possible to catch the tang without ripping apart the entire tank. Which is not happening

But I would also prefer this.

In my experience tangs are the easiest to trap as they are such aggressive eaters.

 

[A;exr54]

In my experience tangs are the easiest to trap as they are such aggressive eaters.

This tang even goes after my flipper when I clean the glass.
But he is quick. Like really quick. And I have way too much live rock with caves and crevices. I wish I could catch it. But it’s just not possible.

 

[jassermd]

Try this...
I just had to catch several fish and it works reliably every time! Patience is the key... just last week I caught my Naso and Yellow tang in it easily.

Bulk Reef Supply - Making Reefing Fun and Easy

Shop top saltwater aquarium equipment at Bulk Reef Supply. We carry everything you will need for your saltwater aquarium or reef tank.

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I'm about to follow exactly what you're up against... I have a CBB in QT now and will need to introduce it into my DT w/ 4 dominant tangs.

 

[A;exr54]

Try this...
I just had to catch several fish and it works reliably every time! Patience is the key... just last week I caught my Naso and Yellow tang in it easily.

Bulk Reef Supply - Making Reefing Fun and Easy

Shop top saltwater aquarium equipment at Bulk Reef Supply. We carry everything you will need for your saltwater aquarium or reef tank.

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I'm about to follow exactly what you're up against... I have a CBB in QT now and will need to introduce it into my DT w/ 4 dominant tangs.

Thanks for this!
It’s worth a shot

 

[jassermd]

This tang even goes after my flipper when I clean the glass.
But he is quick. Like really quick. And I have way too much live rock with caves and crevices. I wish I could catch it. But it’s just not possible.

My tank DT is 280g w/ 300# of live rock. If I can catch them, I'm sure you can as well.
I was even able to catch a Harlequin Tusk, and he is much faster than the tangs.
Mysis or nori in the box and just wait... easy peasy!

 

[A;exr54]

My tank DT is 280g w/ 300# of live rock. If I can catch them, I'm sure you can as well.
I was even able to catch a Harlequin Tusk, and he is much faster than the tangs.
Mysis or nori in the box and just wait... easy peasy!

That is a cool looking trap. Now that I see it it makes sense. Could probably even easily make one with some acrylic. If I wasn’t lazy.

The tang is kind of a good size. I think I’ll order the medium sized one.

 

[ApoIsland]

That is a cool looking trap. Now that I see it it makes sense. Could probably even easily make one with some acrylic. If I wasn’t lazy.

The tang is kind of a good size. I think I’ll order the medium sized one.

I just looked at your tank in the build thread. Plenty of large spaces you could easily section off with acrylic or egg crate. Super easy to catch then.

 

[Tamberav]

Try this...
I just had to catch several fish and it works reliably every time! Patience is the key... just last week I caught my Naso and Yellow tang in it easily.

Bulk Reef Supply - Making Reefing Fun and Easy

Shop top saltwater aquarium equipment at Bulk Reef Supply. We carry everything you will need for your saltwater aquarium or reef tank.

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I'm about to follow exactly what you're up against... I have a CBB in QT now and will need to introduce it into my DT w/ 4 dominant tangs.

acclimation box... don't just drop your fluffy min poodle into the lion pit...

 

[Tamberav]

I have saw many successful tanks with both types of fish.
so I am trying my hand at it.

people try to add butterfly first or use acclimation box. Tape a large mirror to the tank. The plop and drop is asking for murder.

 

[jassermd]

That is a cool looking trap. Now that I see it it makes sense. Could probably even easily make one with some acrylic. If I wasn’t lazy.

The tang is kind of a good size. I think I’ll order the medium sized one.

My Naso is about 6-8 in and he fits the medium one without issue. The Harlequin is about 8-10 in and he barely fit... and I was able to catch him and a blue throat together.
HTH!

 

[A;exr54]

So I just thought of either a really dumb idea or a brilliant one

What about getting a fake copperband butterfly fish made of PCV, or 3D print one.
Put it on a magnet. And insert into the tank.
Let the tang take out it’s aggression, let it get used to it in the tank for a couple weeks.
Then add the real copperband.
Probably a dumb idea.

But hmmm… is it?

Copperband Butterflyfish, Colorful Fish, a Wooden Ornament. - Etsy

It is a pair of copperband butterflyfish, made of balsa - a very light kind of wood, painted with acrylic paints. I painted them in yellow, orange and silver, with blue accents. Dimensions of the whole item: height - 17 cm, length - 19.5 cm, width - 8 cm ( in inches 6.7 x 7.6 x 3.1 ). Dimensions of

www.etsy.com

 

[A;exr54]

Good sign. I just tossed in some live brine. And I did see the copperband eat.
I only feed live brine. And a frozen mixture I make with mussel, shrimp, clam, squid.
So far only saw it nibble on live brine.