The Butterfly Lover's Thread

[Fishfreak2009]

I stopped at one of the LFS I frequent and couldn't say no to this guy today (and a couple other awesome fish that aren't butterflies). He's been there a couple weeks, eating frozen very well. No signs of parasites, but still gonna go through a full quarantine and prophylactic treatment. About 4" long, nice and fat.

At the rate I'm going, I think the 100 gallon will need to be upgraded to the empty 180 gallon in my garage sooner than later.

Chaetodon rafflesi, the Latticed Butterflyfish

 

[Fishfreak2009]

Still a bit shy, but chowing on frozen mysis


And as an update to my order from Violetaquarium, they were unable to ship the chevron, but the others are still coming. Looking forward to the Chaetodon plebius!

 

[Fishfreak2009]

This guy came in today! Already eating clam on the half shell, and picking at some homemade food within 5 hrs of arrival. Not too shabby for an obligate corallivore. Happy he came in pretty good, just unhappy with most of the rest of the shipment.

 

[Fishfreak2009]

Some pics from quarantine today! The plebeius is eating clam on the half shell and some homemade food. Even nipped at some plain mysis today.

 

[LaloJ]

Some pics from quarantine today! The plebeius is eating clam on the half shell and some homemade food. Even nipped at some plain mysis today.

What is your quarantine protocol? Are you medicating the new fish?

 

[Fishfreak2009]

What is your quarantine protocol? Are you medicating the new fish?

Yes. Everyone goes in hypo at 1.009 right off the bat, along with daily Ruby Reef Rally Pro for 7 days. I then begin cupramine, at recommended dose, but maintain that for 30 days. I use metroplex, kanaplex, levamisole, and praziquantel if I deem it necessary, but usually not needed. After 30 days of cupramine, I do a large water change, add carbon, and slowly bring S.G. back to 1.025, then after a week or so at that, they'll move to the display.

 

[Fishfreak2009]

Here are a few pics from tonight.

 

[LaloJ]

Yes. Everyone goes in hypo at 1.009 right off the bat, along with daily Ruby Reef Rally Pro for 7 days. I then begin cupramine, at recommended dose, but maintain that for 30 days. I use metroplex, kanaplex, levamisole, and praziquantel if I deem it necessary, but usually not needed. After 30 days of cupramine, I do a large water change, add carbon, and slowly bring S.G. back to 1.025, then after a week or so at that, they'll move to the display.

It's an interesting process, generally in my country the butterflies arrive very stressed and with a very tenuous life expectancy, the management of the fish is not good and generally as the day goes by they don't accept food, then they get sick and die, (the same with many angelfishes) even if they are "easy" fish to keep as the Auriga butterfly is classified for example, but your quarantine protocol seems promising so I will take note, thanks for sharing.

 

[Fishfreak2009]

Grabbed a couple other butterflies to attempt. They were picking at brine and live blackworms in store. Hopefully they thrive!
The eight line is a bit thin, but seems hungry and ready to eat. Hopefully I can pull it around.

Chaetodon trifasciatus and Chaetodon octofasciatus

 

[Fishfreak2009]

The octofasciatus began eating clam on the half shell within a few minutes of going in the quarantine.

 

[OrionN]

A LFS here in CC has 2 Kleinii, the blue head ones. I am really want to get this pair. One only 1.75 inch and the smaller is around 1.5 inch. They just got them in today. I am going to wait and see how they do the next several days before consider getting them.

 

[OrionN]

@Fishfreak2009
How is the small Regal. I was very close to get that regal and the small red Carpet.

 

[Fishfreak2009]

@Fishfreak2009
How is the small Regal. I was very close to get that regal and the small red Carpet.

It died within 24 hrs. Came in super skinny, unable to balance in the water column, and with a bacterial infection that had eaten about 1/3 of the dorsal fin and was eroding the top of the fish's body.

 

[steveschuerger]

Good news . My CBB for the first time openly interested and eating some frozen and seems to be slowly picking at the smaller aiptasia as well.

 

[Fishfreak2009]

Well, my quarantine crashed and I ended up having to move fish around. Lost the moorish idol to the crash, butterflies all survived. Ended up losing both the plebeius and the octofasciatus to a Vibrio bacterial infection, with lesions similar to Uronema (no Uronema found on scrapes).

Trifasciatus was eating pretty well, but as of 48 hrs ago has stopped. Going to try a large water change tomorrow and see if that perks the appetite back up.

The Chaetodon rafflesi settled right in with the others, and is right out eating with the Chaetodon xanthurus, C. ulietensis, and Heniochus varius.

 

[alton]

I love CBB's.
1st I had from 2003 to 2016

2nd many years later

3rd and 4th in my office 20 while I figure out do I remove number two from my 180 and move them in or just enjoy them in my office 120

 

[Alexa.Davis37]

Grabbed a couple other butterflies to attempt. They were picking at brine and live blackworms in store. Hopefully they thrive!
The eight line is a bit thin, but seems hungry and ready to eat. Hopefully I can pull it around.

Chaetodon trifasciatus and Chaetodon octofasciatus

I've continued to feed the live blackworms. They love them! I order from Eastern Aquatics. They are always in stock.

 

[alton]

Copperband Butterflyfish: Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums

I have had great luck with getting them from Wisconsin if anyone wants one

 

[Tamberav]

Anyone have experience with the Atlantic longnose butterfly?

Just wondering how it does in a typical reef with other fish. If it is a shy feeder or if it can keep up with wrasses and typical reef fish?

 

[i cant think]

Anyone have experience with the Atlantic longnose butterfly?

Just wondering how it does in a typical reef with other fish. If it is a shy feeder or if it can keep up with wrasses and typical reef fish?

If I swap my Long Nose this is the species I’d probably go for