Live bloodworms for a CBB? Coral Banded
Butterfly? Chelmon sp.? fdg. 5/30/08
I bought him in the LFS and he was eating frozen Mysid. I have him qt'd in a
55 with live rock at 1.022 salinity.
<... too low>
I've had him a week and he's not eating any frozen food. I've tried the mussel
and put a clam in yesterday that hasn't opened yet. He's not interested in any
of those. He looks healthy but skinny and no unusual swimming or hiding. He's in
the qt alone. I was reading to try live bloodworms but where can I buy them?
Anywhere online?
Kay
<... I'd try the usual suspects... Marine Depot, Dr.s Foster and Smith,
searching the back of fish magazines for individuals who do culture... But I'd
read here first: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/part2.htm
see the sections on BF feeding, Chelmon... Bob Fenner>
|
Copperband Butterfly/Aiptasia
Result And Question – 02/15/08
Hello "crew", hope all is well.
<<Fine…thanks>>
I have "spoken" to you before, and had brilliant help each time.
<<Ah good!>>
I am Janie (in Australia).
<<Hey Janie! Eric here…in South Carolina>>
I have a 285 Litre tank, one Spiny Puffer ("Puffy"),
<<Mmm, if this is Diodon holocanthus this tank (75g US) is “much too small.”
This fish will need a system of several hundred gallons or more (800-1000
Litres) for its long term well-being>>
one Copperband Butterfly ("Coppy") and the odd "worm" and little hermit crab.
<<Really…? Worms with the Copperband around…? Mine has feasted on all the worms
it can find. It will even take on the odd bristleworm when given the chance>>
I last wrote to you because my tank had been over-run by Aiptasia, after my
original tank cracked, was replaced, re-setup, stocked up with live rock etc.
<<Okay>>
The Aiptasia came with the rock, flourished and killed all bar one Leather
Coral, "starved out" my Tropheus snails and Stromp snails, grew inside my baby
Clam and killed it, etc.
<<Yikes…a bad infestation indeed!>>
Your Site led me to acquire a Copperband Butterfly (having tried absolutely
everything else to no effect). "Coppy" is brilliant! In 12 weeks or so he has
eaten "every" Aiptasia in the tank, and believe me, by the time I managed to buy
Coppy, my whole tank, all of every surface, and the sand were totally covered by
aiptasia!
<<I’m glad to hear the Butterfly has worked out…am sure you are aware this is
not always the case>>
Now I cannot see even one, not even a baby one!
<<Yay!>>
My question is; Even though I have 50 or 60 pounds of live (now "clean") rock,
Coppy doesn't seem to be eating.
<<Mmm, yes…has been accustomed to finding live natural foods>>
I researched your Site, and I am offering him appropriate foods,
<<Such as?>>
in a now "pristine" environment, but Coppy seems to prefer to do what appears to
be "sucking something from the surface" of the water.
<<Hmm…not a “natural” behavior for this fish as far as I am aware>>
My Prizm Protein Skimmer is pulling protein out happily as always,
<<If you say so [grin]>>
and my water testing is showing excellent water, in a system now several years
old, so I am not sure if I should be worried or not.
<<Mmm, well…the rock/available fauna in a system of this size will not likely be
enough to sustain this fish…best to get it eating prepared offerings>>
Coppy still picks at the rocks, the sand, and the algae on the glass etc,
<<Not the “algae”…not a part of this species diet>>
but doesn't eat Nori, veggie, brine shrimp or anything else offered.
<<These fish can be quite finicky… I have one that can even differentiate/will
refuse differing brands of Mysis Shrimp! But, I have found frozen glassworms
(white mosquito larvae) will often entice these and most any other finicky
feeder. Do give them a try>>
He is "happy", not at all shy, and is "best mates" with Puffy, but I am worried
that he is not getting enough nutrition to sustain him.
<<Me too>>
I haven't seen him poo for a week (but Puffy certainly has), so I am wondering
what this "sucking at the surface" is all about?
<<Dunno…does seem kind of odd>>
I have gleaned from this Site that I can buy (hopefully...in Australia) food
products especially for Butterflies, and I will do so promptly,
<<”This” Butterfly needs small meaty fare like the Mysis and Mosquito Larvae.
Hikari’s frozen Ocean Plankton and Mega Marine are also worth trying>>
but ...what is this "sucking at the surface" all about?
<<Beats me, mate…Bob?>><Mmm, looking for more food from you likely. RMF>
At this point I have to say THANK YOU for the advice available on your Site.
<<A collective effort>>
Without it I would not have Coppy (or probably still have Puffy, who kept
getting stung on his eyes, and could find nowhere to sleep without encountering
Aiptasia) and I would still have a miserable, over-run tank.
I just don't want Coppy to starve to death as a result of his absolutely
brilliant cleanup of Aiptasia. Having spent three hours on your Site today,
again I have learned, and I am eternally grateful for the info that led me to
buy Coppy and get rid of the Aiptasia...I know it is "hit and miss" as to a
particular fish doing the job or not, but Coppy certainly did and I thank you
for that.
<<Sounds like you scored big with this particular fish>>
I am about to replace my killed-off "clean-up crew", but I want to know Coppy is
O.K first.
Thank you, and best wishes,
Janie
<<Do give the glassworms a try…bloodworms too. EricR>>
"Copperband Butterfly/Aiptasia
Result And Question" and Dendro follow-ups 2/17/08
Good morning Crew.
<And to you Andy... and I do have a follow on stmt. to make re your
Dendronephthya pc... Please see below>
I was skimming the FAQs today and read the message entitled, "Copperband
Butterfly/Aiptasia Result And Question"
<Please do>
I wanted to share my experience with my Copper Band Butterfly. I also
bought the fish to control a few Aiptasia that had started to grow in my
tank, as well as because I love the fish. After denuding my tank of all
Aiptasia and my LR of feather dusters and other worms, the fish stopped
eating. It would simply swim around looking at the rocks for more food,
but of course it had eaten all. Although the fish was interested, it
refused Mysis, mosquito larvae, etc.
When in my LFS one day, I noticed that they were selling live black
worms. I remembered from my fish keeping days 20 years ago that this was
a staple food in many LFS. So, I decided to give it a try--I bought one
of those $12 worm keepers, which works very well (has kept worms alive
for over 3 weeks with daily water changes). Anyway, the minute I fed
some black worms, the Copper Band was all over them and has not stopped.
It seems that this (my) fish gets excited over live, squiggling
critters, but not dead, floating frozen food. Your poster might want to
give live black worms a try.
Andy
<I too have seen this ready acceptance... with some friends in San
Fran's tank many years back. Re your soft coral expose... I really want
to encourage your "writing this up" in first person, taking a few
photos, and selling the work into the print and e-zine magazines (I will
help you with the editing and submissions)... I do think that the
combination of your good set-up, steady maintenance procedure, addition
of the various foods you mentioned, and the purchase from TFP of a good
initial specimen were/are elements of your success... and that this
relating will be of interest and use to others. What say you? Bob
Fenner> |
Copperband Feeding - A recipe for Success
- 12/13/07
Good evening Bob & Crew,
<Miguel from the GWN>
My thanks to you all for having built up a wealth of species specific
information on your site. Brilliant stuff. I used many of the Crew's suggestions
from the FAQ's in the development of my latest plan.
I saw the beautiful Copperband in the LFS and actually managed to resist the
"impulse purchase" temptation.
I left this fish at the LFS while I read for hours about Butterflies /
Copperbands on your site - prepared myself with an appropriate QT tank set-up
for this particular fish and gathered up my arsenal of feeding tricks that I
could use - and then went back and purchased this beautiful fish, but only after
I saw him picking for food.
I used an established thirty gallon tank with live rock and sand for QT in case
he would prove to be tough to feed and have to stay in QT a while (I learned
that on your site too). I purchased some cured rock with Aiptasia (yes people, I
actually spent money on this) and placed it in the QT tank along with the
Copperband. This fish was extremely shy and found a nice spot behind the LR to
hide in.
It took over two weeks of trying Mysis, Krill, Squid, Mega Marine (for the
worms) and the Clam trick, back and forth with Garlic Guard, Zoe and Selcon
before he finally started picking at some frozen Cyclops soaked in Selcon (my
last prepared food trick prior to turning to live food which I was hoping to
avoid). Throughout the two weeks of failed feeding attempts, this fish seemed to
survive quite nicely by eating Aiptasia and picking at the live rock in the
vitamin dosed tank water. He looked fine the whole time other than nicking the
fatter part of his snout by, I suspect, sticking it too far into a hole in the
rock. Because of the risk of uneaten food in the tank, I tested the water and
did small water changes often during this time.
<Good notes>
Once he was eating the Cyclops, I tried the Clam trick again and he went for it.
Then I started mixing in Mysis with the Cyclops, soaking in Selcon and he
started eating this as well. After just a few days on prepared food this fish is
eating with some enthusiasm, and both of us are looking good!
One last point that I discovered quite by accident. For whatever reason, this
shy fish seemed to respond to the presence of food better (noticeably, whether
actually eating it or not) if the lights in the tank were ON while the lights in
the room were OFF. Not being able to see outside the tank seemed to reduce the
fish's stress level considerably. (Oh, and Bob, when I told you I'd even try
soft music if I thought it would help, and you said that it might help ME during
the QT period... I took your advice - you should post that one too!)
<Will do>
In all honesty, without the information available on this site I can't even
imagine being able to pull something like this off, not to mention knowing
enough to leave a Copperband in the LFS until I had a chance to read more,
assess my chances of success and develop a feeding strategy.
Still, not bad for a rookie, eh? (That's Canadian for "right"?)
Hats off to the team and my fish thanks you.
Mike from Canada
<"What's it all aboot... algae....?" Couldn't help myself. Cheers and thanks for
sharing, BobF>
Copperband Butterfly and Bloodworms – 2/27/07
I am attempting to feed a Copperband.
<<Can be finicky feeders>>
I may have made an error.
<<...?>>
I thought I was prepared for this picky eater, I have about every kind of frozen
food available and am trying them all, including live brine I hatched about 3
weeks ago along with baby brine hatched this week.
<<Hmm...>>
Then I realized the best luck people were reporting was with "Live Bloodworms",
not frozen.
<<My Copperband Butterfly doesn’t pay much attention to the frozen bloodworms
either, but it does go nuts for frozen “glass” worms (both blood and glass worms
are variants of mosquito larvae). I’ve had good luck with more than one species
of finicky feeder using the frozen glass worms>>
I did some searching on the internet for live bloodworms and am now
confused. It seems there are two types of bloodworms. One being mosquito
larvae, the other being some sort of ocean slug. Which is it I should be trying
to get and use???
<<The mosquito larvae>>
The Butterfly is about 5" long in a tank with 160lbs of live rock which I put 2
bottles of Ocean pods and 2 bottles of Tiger pods in about a month ago.
<<The Copperband feeds mainly on worms (even small bristle worms) and small
crustaceans like amphipods and mysids, but these are usually quickly reduced in
a closed system to the point of not being able to sustain the butterfly on their
own, and supplemental feeding is required>>
I never see him eat. I drilled some holes in a piece of rock and stuck Mysis in
one hole, some 3/4" long krill in another and some frozen bloodworms in
another. I have no access to clams here in po-dunk, but I did get some fresh
oysters and drilled a couple holes just a little larger than the Copperband’s
mouth in it.
<<This is a strategy worth trying, though I would simply pry the shells apart
and place them in the tank>>
After a day I took it out and opened it, and it appears some of the oyster is
gone, but I couldn’t tell you if it is because the fish ate it or not.
<<Try just opening the oyster and placing in the tank>>
Mostly though, what type of bloodworm, and do you know anywhere on the web I can
purchase live ones and have them over-nighted?
<<Hmm, a quick search of the net does not produce a ready supplier...your best
option may be to have a fish store special order them for you. EricR>>
DanH
Butterfly eating issues 1/29/07
I just bought a Copper Band Butterfly 4 days ago, but it's not eating.
<Very common with this species...historically speaking it's not a long loved
captive animal. However, four days is nothing to panic about yet.>
We have tried frozen brine shrimp.
<Not a great food...doesn't have enough "substance" to it, do try some other
foods of a marine origin, mysis, krill, etc. ...do search WWM re: similar
experiences>
I have a FOWLR 90 gallon tank. What should I do?
<Is this animal already in the display, with other mates?...Adam J.>
Feeding a Copperband
Hi, I have a question about the amount of feeding:
usually I feed dry food that a fish could
consume within 3-5 minutes. I just got this
copper band butterfly fish that only accepts live brine
shrimp. How much should I feed each time
and how often should I feed? It's about 2.5
to 3 inch long. In the store I saw them put in hundreds of live brine. I don't want
to overfeed. I need some guideline on how
much live brine to feed.
<This can be an easy species to lose... especially to the ill-effects of
under and non-feeding... So it's best to keep some food in the way of live rock
about at all times and to offer foods that the Chelmon will take a few times a
day... in practical terms, as long as the Butterfly is feeding, it can't be
overfed... though your system may well be...>
Also I read in your book that butterfly like clams or oysters. If the fish starts to
eat that, for that size of fish, again how
much (what size) of an oyster should I put
in the tank?
<A small one... for human consumption... it can be removed and stored in the
refrigerator for later use...>
Or how long should I leave the
fresh oyster there? I don't want it to pollute the tank. It's so meaty that I am
afraid the fish might eat too much.
<I share your concern>
Some of my fish would stop eating or at least slow down after eating a few minutes.
Would butterfly fish have that kind of
control? Would they eat too much and hurt
themselves?
<Not as much as larger, predatory species>
Thank you. Jason
<You're welcome. Bob Fenner>
Copperband Butterfly
Hi Again Bob, Rick your reefing friend here again with a question about a
Copperband Butterfly. I purchased one last weekend even though my success
rate with this species has been dismal in the past. For instance, I have
never seen a Copperband eat before... until this one. He seems extremely
healthy and just loves Hikari bloodworms. He is currently residing in a 20
gallon qt tank on his way to my 180 in about 2 weeks if everything is
okeedokee. My question is, will bloodworms sustain him during qt until he
gets into the 180 with live rock.
<Yes, likely so>
I plan on soaking the bloodworms in Selcon
every couple of days just to make sure he gets his vitamins. I really like
this species and want to give him every chance to flourish. I have tried
mussels, squid, clam, beef heart, flake & angel formula but he will only eat
the bloodworms. Perhaps a live mussel on the half shell?
<Too messy for the twenty... stick with what you're doing>
what do you think.
Thanks again, your advice and guidance has helped me to realize full
enjoyment of this extremely satisfying and sometimes frustrating hobby.
<It is your actions my friend that have brought you to this state. My efforts
are nothing>
You
should be very proud of the role you play in some many
peoples/fishes/inverts lives.
<I am happy to share in others joys, revelations. Bob Fenner>
Your reefing friend
Rick
Copperband BF
Hello again Mr. Fenner,
It has been months since I wrote you, and things in my
Butterfly tank have been going very well, although I did have a very
mysterious and sudden loss of a Rafflesi. He was eating heartily for
months, then just one morning he was gone, no warning and no visible
wounds.
<This happens... a bit less so in huge systems with more than one
individual...>
So the empty space made room for a Copperband, a fish I have
admired for years. I had one about 10 years ago, but it lasted only a
few weeks. He is very timid, and my bully of a threadfin sometimes
chases him, but he is eating and looks very healthy after five weeks.
He grazes the live rocks constantly (no more little fan worms!) he eats
live brine with gusto and no competition. (funny enough my threadfin and
my punctato ignore live brine!) He will nibble on a fresh clam from the
grocery store, but I think the aggressive feeding habits of the other
two keep him from eating too much.
<Yes>
I have read on the Web in my research that this species has
high nutritional requirements and brine shrimp alone will not be enough
in the long haul.
<This is so>
This week he started taking frozen Mysis. I know
that these are nutritionally better than brine, but are they enough? Do
you have other suggestion for long term success? He is not taking
Formula I/II at this time, but I can hope for the future! I truly love
this fish as he has a grace and elegance that surpasses even other
butterflies.
<Keep offering different foods... perhaps consider adding a refugium/sump to
culture your own... cycle in new live rock every few months...>
Thank you so much for the great service you do for all
aquarists. After 20 years of fish keeping, I can honestly say that no
single source has increased my success as much as your Text and your Web
site!
<Thank you my friend. My utmost desire realized. Bob Fenner>
Jim
My new copperband
Hi Bob, I saw you at MACNA and really enjoyed your informative lecture I was
one of the few teens there).
<Ah, yes>
Anyway, I am calling upon your advice as a ex collector/exporter/importer for
nutritional needs of my new fish. I was planning on waiting a couple of weeks
before buying my copperband butterfly so I could establish more detritivores but
I stopped by the LFS today and they had the copperband I had my eye on for a
while. I talked to my friend the manager and confirmed the fish had been there 3
weeks and that is was collected in Fiji by a professional collector. I watched
him eat some brine shrimp, he didn't eat many pieces, just a few. My friend
explained that they were not used to eating in the water column and that they
are foragers by nature.
<Mostly, yes>
I have been keeping clowns, damsels, and Chromis for about a year and a half in
reefs and wanted to step up to rarer, more needy fish. Anyways, I bought the
healthy fish. I believe the main problem with Chelmon rostratus is feeding,
correct?
<Hmm, more often with rough handling, transport from the wild... but a lack
of feeding, nutrition through this journey as well certainly>
If so, what would be the best diet for my newest favorite fish? All I have right
now is brine that is soaked in some nutrient stuff that I got free at MACNA. I
have about 9 species of Macroalgae that I could offer. I was thinking about
formula 1 or fresh clams. A mix of these sounds best to me, and you? Also,
please mention some other foods that could be fed to offer variety. oh yeah,
don't worry I am quarantining this fish in an environment with plenty of live
rock.
<Chelmons will learn in time to accept most all prepared, fresh and frozen
foods... should they survive the first few weeks in captivity. Do try offering
what mix you can of all food types... and with enough live rock, other fishes
eating about it, your specimen will learn to accept foods even from your hand.
Be chatting my new friend. Bob Fenner>
thank you
Andrew
Copperband Butterfly Fish
Just wanted to thank you for the question and answer pages. I read them
often.
<Ah! Hope they're as much fun for you as myself>
My question is about the feeding of my Copperband Butterfly. I have a 120 gallon
tank with live rock and other fish. This fish has been in my tank for one week.
It ate all my feather dusters the first night, which is fine with me. I have
been providing a number of different foods including: flakes, formula 1 & 2,
brine shrimp, fresh minced shrimp, blood worms, and even a half opened oyster.
The only thing it will eat are the blood worms. I watch this fish forage all
day. Will I be able to satisfy it's tummy and end it's search for food?
<Yes... this sounds like a "good" specimen... Keep offering it a
variety of frozen, fresh foods... it will soon be "eating out of your
hand" (in actuality)>
I feed the whole tank 2-3 times daily. Are there any types of plants or animals
I can purchase for the Copperband to pick at?
<"Live Rock" in general, mysids (frozen/defrosted, live...), the
formulated foods on the market. You'll soon see. Bob Fenner>
Thanks for your time!
-Becky
Getting Copperband to eat...
Hello Robert (and friends), <Steven Pro this evening.>
I just have a quick question regarding my Copperband butterfly. I've read your
FAQs about them and I've tried them all, but can't seem to get my copperband to
eat.
He's one of the only fish I've gotten through mail order, because of the great
deal I got. He is about 5-6 inches, in really nice shape. He just won't eat. I
have tried several flake foods, frozen (formula I and II, angel formula,
bloodworms, tubeworms), live brine shrimp, life Mysis shrimp, fresh mussels,
fresh clams, fresh regular shrimp, stuffing algae strips into crevices. I have
even tried garlic (Kent marine) drops soaking the food. Some of it he will look
at, but he doesn't ever go up to it and at least pick at anything. I know they
are real picky eaters, but I figured he would at least try something. All he
picks at right now is my live rock, the red star fish, and the giant feather
dusters.
Specifications: -Size: 55 gallon
-Lighting: 4-35 watt PC lights
-Temp: 80
-Gravity: 1.023
-PH: 8.2-8.4
-Ammonia: 0-0.25
-Nitrates: ~20
-Filtration: Live rock, overflow to sump (floss filter, bio-balls, sponge
filter), 15-watt UV filter.
-Live Rock: only about 65 Lbs. (so far)
-Corals: none yet (maybe a mushroom or two)
Do you have any additional tricks that will maybe get this guy interested in
food? He did clean out that Aiptasia.
<Try a freshwater mussel. They will die and open up in saltwater. They are a
good feeding stimulant for finicky Butterflyfish. After he has finished the
mussel you can try stuffing the shell with various formula foods. Also, see if
he won't eat bloodworms.>
Thanks, Monty :-)
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>
Re: Chelmon rostratus
Hi Bob.
Thank you for the reply.
Through all my searches including books I have on fish there is very little
information on the Copperband butterfly fish.
<Lots of "general" information on most Butterflyfishes... not much
ecology, nutrition, disease... et al. work on individual species>
I followed your link for long term care on these fish this is the page that I
found in my searches on info which gave me the idea of emailing you.
<Mmm>
I am interested in the way that this fish pairs up and if males change to
females or they start out in life as male and female.
<No sexual change as far as I know... determinate. Do occur in pairs
seasonally over their range>
This info would help in knowing the best way to get a pairing of male and
female.
<To raise a few individuals in a very large (hundreds plus) gallons system,
starting at three or so inches standard length.>
So far no luck in getting this information.
Thanks again.
Martyn Hulyer.
<Perhaps you will be the person to compose a monograph on the biology of this
species. Bob Fenner>
Copperband Butterfly isn't Eating what it's Supposed to (Aiptasia)
Bob,
<<Actually, JasonC doing the do while Bob is away diving.>>
I've just purchased a Copperband for my reef tank. He's less than 2.5" and
constantly searches for food and picks at the rock but he has no interest in the
Aiptasia. He's housed in a 36x18x18 tank with LR & LS and has a small Tomato
Clown, a Banggai, a Blue Damsel and a Purple Firefish for tank mates. No one is
harassing him. There are soft corals and some inverts in the tank. <<ok so
far...>>
Should he eventually become interested in the Aiptasia or does this disinterest
happen occasionally. <<I would think so, sure - how long has it been in
there? Probably still adjusting to your system - new surroundings.>>
Either way, he's beautiful! <<They are, aren't they.>> What can I
feed to supplement the Copperband's diet? <<Try a little of everything
you've got - Mysis, brine, etc. Also check the FAQ's on the copper-band: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/chelmonfaqs.htm
>>
Thanks for your time,
Tony
<<Cheers, J -- >>
Copperband
Bob,
I purchased a small Copperband about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks back for
the purpose of controlling Aiptasia. I also think they are beautiful
fish. This Copperband, however, never touched the Aiptasia. He
constantly searched for food among the live rock and was very
active. The Copperband died a couple of days back (probably
starved). Any guesses as to why he wouldn't eat the Aiptasia?
<Other than "this just happens" no... It seems some Chelmon are
"eager Glass Anemone eaters", others could care less... Most
Copperband Butterflies are lost as you describe>
I will most likely purchase another and try again but I would
appreciate your insight.
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/chelmon.htm
the FAQs, links beyond. Life to you my friend. Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Tony
Chelmon rostratus
Hi Bob.
I am from England U.K.
I have a 1500g connect 16 tank SPS coral propagation system set up in my
garage that has been running for 1.5 years now.
<Some experiences!>
I have been having problem getting rid of Aiptasia's of a few types I have
tried many of the things recommended peps Kalk in many methods and a few
other things with out to much success.
I thought if I got a Chelmon rostratus and put it into one of the tanks that
has frags in I could place a few Aiptasia infested rocks into this tank and
if eaten remove the rocks back to the other tanks and add a few more rocks
etc.
<Worth trying>
The tank size is 72"x30"x15"H it has a 1" depth Aragamax
sand bed with at the
moment 200 2" discs with a selection of SPS corals growing on them a few
sand
area's free of frags with ten pieces of liverock positioned so that the
Chelmon rostratus can swim in amongst the rocks.
The tank has a lot of water movement and turbulence and the ends have lower
water movement and lighting is 3 BLV 400w HQI MH 10k 4" above the water
surface.
Water parameters or very good temps range depending on summer or winter
between 26C to 29C There is a high diversity of critter infauna natural
plankton etc.
The Chelmon rostratus has been in this tank for 2 weeks it has been eating
the naturals critters in the tank plus I have fed it Mysis shrimp brine
shrimp it has been eating the tube fan worms and has just started on the
Aiptasia and is very bold now and not timid as it was the first week.
I feed golden pearls and brineshimp to my frags and stock corals as well but
this is when the lights are out
I also from time to time grow my own phytoplankton and rotifers and brine
shrimp to give extra live food for the corals.
There is also good diversity of algae's mainly different turfs on the rocks.
I also have Spirulina and mixed flake and pellets that I feed my
Centropyge loriculus and Zebrasoma xanthurum which are in my lounge tank
which is 52"x24"x30"H.
Any comments about any thing you may feel about the above info my cause a
problem for this fish would be helpful.
Questions.
(1) Is this a good environment for this fish.
<Yes, sounds fine>
(2) Could I add a second Chelmon rostratus to this tank or would they fight
can they be paired up how do you get male and female if they did not get
along I have 15 other tanks I could put one into one of these.
<Your system is large enough where two would likely be fine>
(3) Any tips of the best way to care long term for Chelmon rostratus.
<Please see: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/chelmonfaqs.htm and the articles on
butterflyfishes about this>
(4) Is there any chance I could add a Chelmon rostratus to the lounge SPS
coral aquarium which is 52"x24"x30"H and the fish are Centropyge
loriculus
and Zebrasoma xanthurum been in there for nearly three years.
<Yes... if the current fishes "give the Chelmon a chance", don't
attack it outright, it should acclimate to this system much as the one in your
coral farm>
Or would there be too much problems with this due to territory but they never
venture to the top half of the tank.
Thanks for any advice.
I am new too keeping fish except for the two I have had for 3 years and feel
I would like too keep a few more than two fish now
as I have learned a little about corals I can now learn more about keeping
fish and even attempt too breed some (I wish)
<Maybe soon, my friend. Bob Fenner>
Martyn Hulyer
Copperband revisited
Hi Bob! Hope you enjoyed your trip!
<Yes, but the return has been exasperating!>
You may remember me as the guy with the urgent situation with the copperband,
fish died of some mysterious illness and soon after a clownfish in another tank
got the same disease and perished. I was (stupidly) sharing live rock from tank
to tank and he probably caught it that way. Anyway, I am going to try a
copperband again as my big tank looks like an Aiptasia corn field,
<Good/bad visual...>
although I am tempted by the Berghia nudibranchs for control. I have talked with
Morgan Lidster of Inland Aquatics (great guy) and it seems they have excellent
Copperbands. He gets them eating, trained to eat Aiptasia, from Fiji, and they
are held for 6 weeks at his facilities.
<A very good company, fine fellow, great practices>
Pretty much everything I could want in a copperband or any fish. They are pricey
($59.99) but I think its worth it to have it quarantined and eating.
<Of a certainty, yes>
However, he likes to use trained raccoon butterflies instead. Will the raccoon
outgrow my 55?
<In time, yes>
Will he eat my clams and SPS when the Aiptasia are gone?
<Possibly... the smaller the tank, the greater likelihood.>
I also want to know what to do with the fish once I decide which one, after 6
weeks at IA, does it really need any additional time in my q tank?
<Would at least do a prophylactic dip/bath: http://wetwebmedia.com/dips_baths.htm>
Also, what should I be doing to keep it from succumbing to the same mysterious
illness of my last one?
<Please read through the WetWebMedia.com site re "Livestock
Selection", "Quarantine"... and the many sections on individual
species, groups listed under "selection, general to specific", Tank
Troubleshooting, The Three Sets of Factors that Determine Livestock
Health...>
Here are some tank specs:
55 gallon Perfecto:
2 x Hagen 802
2x MaxiJet 1200 on natural wave strip
4" DSB with detritivores from IPSF, teeming with life-
90 pounds Premium Aquatics Live rock
2 x 55 watt PC lights
AGA overflow estimate 300-400 gph
30 gallon sump:
Turboflotor skimmer w/ Rio 2100, 600 and tetra air pump
2 Tronic heaters
large refugium with 5-7 types of Macroalgae, Stomatella snails, copepods etc
Live stock:
2 tank raised percula clownfish
30 Nassarius snails
6 Strombus snails
8 turbo snails
6 Trochus snails
6 Nerite snails
1 2" fighting conch
1 4" queen conch
many amphipods/ copepods/ isopods
many polychaete worms
many Stomatella varia snails
many Aiptasia, ARGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
salinity: 1.026
ph: 8.0
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: under 10
It has been about a month since the copperband died and the clowns have all been
happy and fine, except at night when they are very weird. Only the clown in my
nano reef has died, which could of just been stress from a new DSB. What do you
think of a Chelmon rostratus or marginalis in this setup?
<S/b fine>
When I upgrade to 2 x 250 HQI then I will have many clams and SPS corals,
hopefully the fish will let these alone?
<Would go with lower wattage MH, maybe 175s... and only experience will tell,
Bob Fenner>
thank you for your time,
Andrew
Copperband Butterflyfish, Chelmon Feeding Stimulation, Success
Hi,
<Hello>
Really great website and very helpful.
I have read you are very weary of introducing Chelmon rostratus because of
its poor survival rate. I thought I might add a positive note by saying that
I have purchased a specimen 6 months ago to put in my reef tank. At first I
was worried sick that he wasn't eating anything, but it appeared healthy, if
a little thin. That's why I got tempted to buy it... you know how it is.
Well, I read somewhere that it might be tempted by whole mussels.
<Yes. Among other places: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BFsBestWrst.htm>
I went to
the local market and got some fresh ones and I put them in. He was eating
like a pig as well as my Chaetodon rafflesi that I purchased a week earlier
and that only rarely took a bite at live brine shrimps. I couldn't believe my
eyes. Now I only pop a couple of mussels in in the morning and evening
enriched with vitamins for about 20 min.s and they have a feast. They are
completely healthy, and nicely plump. The rafflesi is slightly less sociable
and he hides a little when I go near the tank with food (only for about 10
seconds), but the Chelmon looks at me and gets to the usual place where I
drop the food.
I couldn't believe how simple it would be!
Hope this information helps other 'compulsive' buyers like myself.
<Me too>
Nothing could be more simple.
Massimo Redaelli, Brighton, England UK
<Thank you for relating your success. It will save innumerable losses and
heartache. Bob Fenner>
Copperbanded Butterfly Fish (Chelmon rostratus)
Hi,
I have currently purchased a healthy clean 3inch Copperband butterfly, and
introduced him with 1 regal tang, 1 ocellaris clown, 1 potters angelfish, 2
crabs and 2 cleaner shrimps. My tank has excellent water quality, and some live
rock.<sounds good>
I attempted to feed him using some of the Kent marine garlic treatment on the
brine shrimp, but he didn't take a nimble. Can you give me any information
about this species, and any tips when it comes around to feeding?
<well I would try different methods...don't feed brine shrimp, instead
try feeding with Mysis shrimp, krill, maybe even silversides (my semilarvatus
used to love them) and flake food. Also you can try Life Line green or red
(herbivore and carnivore food). I would just try every food type possible in
order to get this some what difficult species of fish to begin eating. This is
what it took for my golden moray to start eating.. persistence is the key my
friend.
Good luck and if you have any other questions/problems just email me back. IanB>
Thanks a lot, regards Darrell
Copperbanded Butterfly Fish 11/3/03
I have a 3inch Copperbanded butterfly fish, and curious of the amount of muscle
chops I feed him, which are about 5mm/5mm. Could you recommend a certain daily
amount of which I can feed him,
<hmm... hard to say. But 2-3 small feedings (1/8th teaspoon?) daily are
needed for most such passive species Much more than just muscle meat too... it
will die of a deficiency if you limit yourself so. Add Mysid shrimp, minced
krill and Pacifica plankton for example>
as I don't want to loose him though underfeeding, but please bear in mind my
other fish do eat these as well as flakes and brine shrimp. Thanks Regards
Aaron.
<some experimentation is indeed in order here. Do review Bob's feeding
protocol and excellent homemade fish food recipes in the classic title,
"Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Fenner. Anthony>
Copperbanded Butterfly Fish (Chelmon rostratus)
Hi,
I would just like to say that my Copperbanded butterfly is eating.<good> I
thought, because he loves to nip and tear at the feather duster I'll put the
muscle strands from the whole muscles in the tube. At first he didn't seem
interested,
but after a while he came up and sniffed it, and once the dwarf angelfish began
to nip at it a pull it out, he shot for it a eat the whole thing which is about
2 inches long!<nice> And the butterfly fish is only 3inch. And now when I feed
him the muscles, he's straight for them. I am very pleased with this, and I hope
it helps other owners of this fish <thanks for the information and good luck
with this fish, IanB>
Regards Aaron.
Getting Copperband butterfly to feed - clam trick 3/28/04
I have a Copperband Butterflyfish in a 10g QT tank w/LRLS. I've
had him for two days. I cannot get him to eat food that I offer,
however he is eating off the LR - many critters on the LR. I have
offered Mysis & Brine shrimp, Formula 1 and Blood Worms.
<please resist using brine shrimp for most any purpose... a barren/hollow
food. The Mysis are very good though... Pacifica plankton too. Most any other
meaty food of marine origin if minced small enough>
Not interested. Is the LR sustaining him?
<helpful but not fully (too little)>
What else can I try to offer? It still has a few weeks to go before going into
the main tank. Thanks, Dennis Nolan
<one of the best tricks for getting these fishes to feed is to get a live
freshwater clam from the pet store (or food/grocery store). Rinse it well and
drop it into your marine aquarium (you may want to notch the back hinge to get
it to open faster). It will begin to die and open within 1-3 days. As the clam
purses open, the butterfly is irresistibly tempted to stick its nose in there.
After it has eaten all of the clam out... stuff the clam in future days with the
frozen meaty foods of your choice. The association/habit will have been made
with the clam shell. It will wean off of/ignore the clam shell in time.
Anthony>
Imagine This: A Picky Copperband Butterfly!
I have a Copperband BF in a 20g QT tank. It is clear bottom w/1 ornament for cover. It's been in QT for almost 4 weeks. I have been treating w/CopperSafe from day one. The slight case of Ick has cleared up and has shown no signs of reinfestation for the past four days. The fish seems to be in very good health and looks very clean.
<Glad to hear that!>
The only thing that this fish will eat are live black worms. I have tried live clams,
Mysis shrimp, formula 1, flakes & red worms. It does not want anything to do with any of it. The funny thing is, I had it in a 10g QT for the first two weeks and was able to get it to eat the
Mysis and red worms after one day. After
putting it the 20g,(I wanted this fish to have more room for QT), I have not been able to get it to eat anything but live worms for the past two weeks. Your suggestions for getting this fish to eat something else would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again, Dennis
<As you are discovering, these guys can be a bit finicky, in regard to their dietary preferences and eating habits. In my experience, one of foods that seems to work as an "interim" menu item to wean the fish off of live stuff is frozen blood worms. Although not of marine origin, they seem to have a flavor that attracts many butterfly fishes. Another fine frozen food that I have used for this purpose is Hikari "Mega Marine Angel", which, although targeted for angelfish, has ingredients such as
tubeworms, etc., and is extruded into little "worm like" pieces. Still another idea is to add a small piece of fresh live rock into his tank, to see if he will start "grazing" a bit. Other people have thrown in an Aiptasia-infested rock in the hope of "training" the fish to acquire a taste for these nasties...and it does work! Whatever you do, don't stop trying...keep utilizing different foods until you provoke this fish into eating something different! Good luck! Regards, Scott F>
AIPTASIA CONTROL
Dear WWM Crew,
I recently purchased a Copperband Butterfly in order to control an exploding
population of Aiptasia in my 437 gal. tank. The fish has taken care of the
problem but has, to my surprise, killed all my Nassarius Snails. Apparently the
Copperband assumes that the trunks of the snails protruding through the
substrate are worms. << I've seen many butterflies go right up and eat snails
that were on the glass and rocks. He may be confused, or maybe he isn't (just
taking advantage of the situation). >> I had about 100 of these snails before
adding the Copperband.
What can I add to the tank that will keep my sand bed aerated but will not be
eaten by the Copperband. << Bristle worms? Sand sifting gobies? Hmm, not sure
what I would recommend. Certainly micro fauna of copepods are the best. >>
How many Peppermint Shrimp would I need to keep the Aiptasia under control in
such a large tank? << I'll just throw out a number... 10? That is what I would
try. >>
Thanks, Ron Allard
<< Adam B. >>
Serving A Butterfly Buffet (A WWM Reader Shares His Technique)
Hi gang:
<Hi there! Scott F. with you today!>
I'm a big fan of copper banded butterflies. . . but lost one several years ago
when first setting up my system due to its 'shy' nature at feeding time.
<An all to common occurrence, unfortunately>
Essentially, it got out-competed for food by pretty much everything in my tank.
A few months back I acquired another one. . . determined to find a way to see
this one through. While he was in quarantine, I bought one of those plastic
'worm feeder' cones with a suction cup mount commonly used to feed
blackworms to discus. Since the as-acquired-from LFS form has tiny slits
allowing the tips of the worms to poke through (allowing any fish to feed and
giving no particular advantage to a butterfly) I cut/opened a small 'vertical'
slot big enough for him to get his 'nose' through just above the bottom of the
cone. . . and no more than 1/4" high. By feeding him only in this feeding
station, he was trained to it by the time I put him into my community tank. . .
and now I can feed him worms, Mysis. . . whatever. . .
in a way that doesn't allow the other fish to muscle him away from his dinner
plate. Over time, he's even become (constructively) territorial about his
feeding rights with respect to this setup. A final do-it-yourself note: If your
tank (like my acrylic 60 gal.) has wide internal top-braces that ring the top and
preclude suction-cupping the ring to the tank's side walls. . .then cement the
top edge of the ring-the-cone-gets-suspended-from to the
underside of the acrylic lip/top of the tank (allowing room to
insert/extract the feeding cone for cleaning) along the edge of the top brace.
With the hood in place, the whole rig is barely visible. Chuck
<Well, Chuck, on behalf of WWM readers everywhere, I thank you for sharing your
innovative solution! I'm sure that other Butterfly enthusiasts will benefit from
this tip! Your unselfish sharing is what this site is all about! Regards, Scott
F.>
What do you feed a Copperbanded Butterflyfish?
Hey what's up> I am typing to talk to you about a copperbanded
butterflyfish.
I am getting one tomorrow. I would like to know the things I need to do to
acclimatize it. << Okay, well first, don't get set on buying one tomorrow. It
is better to ask these questions well before hand. To acclimate the fish, I
would recommend floating the bag for 20 minutes, then gently scooping him out of
his bag, and putting him in your tank. >> and what is its feeding habits. and
one more thing what is it
sensitive to. << That was the question I was waiting for. They are finicky
eaters, and the key to their success is live rock. So I only recommend buying
one if you have a thriving reef tank, and I would also feed them mixed seafoods.
>> thanks so much.
<< You're welcome, and be careful, Blundell >>
Copperband & Aiptasia
Hi all. <Hi George, MacL here with you today.> Would like to add a Copperband
to my 1-year old 160. <Lovely fish.> My tank has 150+ pounds of live rock that
is not stacked against the wall so there is access to all surfaces. <Sounds
great.> I can see many amphipods and small brittle stars, Aiptasia too, which is
why the desire for a Copperband.
Would you expect there to be enough natural prey to sustain a 2-3 inch
Copperband or would I have to supplement its diet? <Some Copperbands won't eat
Aiptasia and sometimes they will eat any type of anemone just to caution you.>
If supplementation is necessary, should that begin from the start or will it
need to be a bit hungry to develop an appetite for Aiptasia? <George you don't
mention whether you have other fish in your tank that you are feeding anyway. If
you do, I think you'll find the butterfly will eat some of that as well. If not,
keep a close eye on him to make sure he's eating Aiptasia and if not then
definite supplementation. Just as a caution you should know that they might
possibly eat or nibble on other corals. MacL>Thanks, George
- WWM Kudos -
Hi Bob, <JasonC here in his stead.>
Just wanted to drop a line to you to say thanks for all the great information on keeping saltwater fish. Because of your website I finally decided to give a
Copperband butterfly a try in my reef tank. I have been keeping saltwater fish for over 15 years with moderate to great success. I read the FAQs about
Copperbands and gave one a try. A good friend owns a large pet shop here and he got me a real nice fish. That was a month and a half ago. The
Copperband has been in my reef tank for about 2 weeks ( after quarantining him ) and he has become buddies with my purple tang, of all fish, and comes the
front of the tank whenever I come near. Never thought I would have this much success with a
Copperband. Let's hope that I can maintain this fish long term. <Indeed.> I used
Mysis shrimp to get him feeding but now he eats anything I put in the tank. I think people need a reliable source of information to be successful. Experience has shown me that pet shop owners tend to have conflicting ideas about the needs of saltwater fish, which is why this type of site is so important to fishkeepers. So thanks again for such a great website. I highly recommend this site to fishkeepers of all types.
Rob M. - Syracuse, NY
<Thank you for the kind words. Cheers, J -- >
Copperband not doing Well
My Copperband seems to be on the way out. He's sitting on the sand, seems to be unable to keep his balance, tips over then rights
himself. I don't know what else to do. I've partitioned the tank so with glass so the butterfly won't be bugged by my tang. I've had the butterfly for over a month now, it seemed to be doing good, eating lots of clam and very responsive. Don't know if it was collected from the
Philippines, could this be an after effect of cyanide? I didn't think fish collected would live this long. <Tristan, I'm sorry to hear about your Copperband, a truly beautiful fish.
Regardless of what some books or articles may tell you, the Copperband is not easily kept without a good diet and excellent water conditions. You didn't mention any white spots on the fish so I'm
assuming disease isn't the culprit, so that leaves diet and water quality remaining. Copperbands need lots of live rock to graze on. Other food supplements should be soaked in a vitamin solution such as Selcon or
VitaChem etc. I don't believe clam alone is going to do it for this guy. Ten % weekly water changes are also a must. Before making any other butterfly purchases, make sure you can furnish what these fish need to survive in a closed system. Good luck and again, sorry about your Copperband. James (Salty Dog)>
Marine Roulette Anyone?
We all know how awesome the WWM crew is - and so do they - that's why we all
come back here!
<They told me there was free beer! You mean there isn't? I'm outta here!>
Enough said. What's odd is that so many of us have learned what we know of the
marine hobby right here and by reading the works of WWM authors - yet so many of
us insist on learning the hard way....
<Heeeeee! Human nature... my fave species>
For example, I have an overstocked 75 gal mixed reef and have never quarantined
so much as one thing... The system has been up and running for over a year and
I've watched the dreaded white spot signs of Ich teeter-totter between the
fish's favor and the parasites favor. Had never had a serious enough outbreak to
warrant pulling all of the fish out for treatment or letting the tank go
fallow.... 'til now....
<Doh!>
Hadn't seen any signs of Ich for close to six-months, so in my infinite wisdom
what do I do? Add a "King-O-Ich" Hippo
Tang. Well the pendulum quickly favored the Ich and I end up with a major
breakout. Fortunately I had a 55 gal. sitting around looking thirsty so I tear
the rockwork apart and catch the fish.... Yellow Tang, Hippo Tang, Royal Gramma,
Two Ocellaris Clowns, Copperband Butterfly, and a Flame Hawkfish. They're being
treated with Cupramine and for all those who've had trouble measuring this, the
Seachem kit seems to keep a good handle on the copper levels.
<They do have good products>
Did I keep a sponge in the 75gal display to use in case of an treatment
emergency such as this? Of course not....
<Doh times two~!>
So I'm changing significant amounts of water every other day to keep ammonia as
low as possible. Livestock seem to be progressively doing better - but I'm
concerned about the Copperband. He hasn't hardly eaten any provided foods since
we got him. He seemed to pick off the rocks rather than touch anything we fed...
Problem is - their obviously aren't any rocks in the hospital tank - and I've
yet to see him eat a thing.
<Try a small "bivalve"... clam, cockle... opened up... these are almost
irresistible to Chelmons... even stressed out ones in tiny volumes and copper>
It's been 8 days since he was admitted to the hospital. Before this Ich outbreak
began, we had already been planning on a move into a 180, which is about another
month out. We had purchased 40 lbs of additional live rock, which is curing in
Rubbermaids. My question is this. ( I know - Finally) The new live rock in
quarantine will be cured about the time that the copper treatment comes to an
end, and hopefully the hospital tank has completely cycled. Yet I will still be
weeks from moving into the 180 - so the fish will remain in the hospital tank
until the move. The only thing in the hospital is PVC material (nothing
Calcareous).
<Natch... as it would absorb the copper...>
For the betterment of the environment, can I add cycled live rock to the cycled
hospital once the copper is removed with water changes, PolyFilter, and carbon?
<Yes>
Or should I not add anything copper sensitive since the tank has been exposed to
copper.
<A small amount of precipitated copper is not a big deal>
I had read somewhere (don't know the validity) that the tank seals will act like
a sponge and leach copper even after it is testing zero and believed removed.
<Very, very little... in most cases/scenarios>
Obviously, the best thing would be to not get into this situation, but.... In
light of the fact I am, what would be the best way to proceed? And yes, lesson
learned... From now on apply the generous sharings of knowledge from those in
the know.... Thanks, Brad.
<Better to move the Copperband elsewhere after two weeks treatment... with
larger, more stable setting... try Mysids (live if you can get them)... soaked
in Selcon or equivalent... Do pH adjusted freshwater dip the fishes enroute...
Bob Fenner>
Marine Roulette Anyone? avec James' Response
We all know how awesome the WWM crew is - and so do they - that's why we all
come back here! Enough said. What's odd is that so many of us have learned what
we know of the marine hobby right here and by reading the works of WWM authors -
yet so many of us insist on learning the hard way.... For example, I have an
overstocked 75 gal mixed reef and have never quarantined so much as one thing.
The system has been up and running for over a year and I've watched the dreaded
white spot signs of Ich teeter-totter between the fish's favor and the parasites
favor. Had never had a serious enough outbreak to warrant pulling all of the
fish out for treatment or letting the tank go fallow 'til now.
Hadn't seen any signs of Ich for close to six-months, so in my infinite wisdom
what do I do? Add a "King-O-Ich" Hippo Tang. Well the pendulum quickly favored
the Ich and I end up with a major breakout. Fortunately I had a 55gal sitting
around looking thirsty so I tear the rockwork apart and catch the fish....
Yellow Tang, Hippo Tang, Royal Gramma, Two Ocellaris Clowns, Copperband
Butterfly, and a Flame Hawkfish.
They're being treated with Cupramine and for all those who've had trouble
measuring this, the Seachem kit seems to keep a good handle on the copper
levels. Did I keep a sponge in the 75gal display to use in case of an treatment
emergency such as this? Of course not. So I'm changing significant amounts of
water every other day to keep ammonia as low as possible.
Livestock seem to be progressively doing better - but I'm concerned about the
Copperband. He hasn't hardly eaten any provided foods since we got him. He
seemed to pick off the rocks rather than touch anything we fed. Problem is -
there obviously aren't any rocks in the hospital tank - and I've yet to see him
eat a thing. It's been 8 days since he was admitted to the hospital.
Before this Ich outbreak began, we had already been planning on a move into a
180, which is about another month out. We had purchased 40 lbs of additional
live rock, which is curing in Rubbermaids. My question is this. ( I know -
Finally) The new live rock in quarantine will be cured about the time that the
copper treatment comes to an end, and hopefully the hospital tank has completely
cycled. Yet I will still be weeks from moving into the 180 - so the fish will
remain in the hospital tank until the move. The only thing in the hospital is
PVC material (nothing Calcareous).
For the betterment of the environment, can I add cycled live rock to the
cycled hospital once the copper is removed with water changes, PolyFilter, and
carbon? Or should I not add anything copper sensitive since the tank has been
exposed to copper.
I had read somewhere (don't know the validity) that the tank seals will act
like a sponge and leach copper even after it is testing zero and believed
removed. Obviously, the best thing would be to not get into this situation,
but.... In light of the fact I am, what would be the best way to proceed? And
yes, lesson learned... From now on apply the generous sharings of knowledge from
those in the know....
<I don't think you would have a problem putting the live rock in the QT once you
filter out the copper. I would try one thing for your Copperband. Get some
Cyclop-eeze in the pump bottle. I'm thinking that will trigger him into eating.
It's great stuff. Good for corals....my Percs love it and really colored up
nice. James (Salty Dog)>
Butterflies that won't eat..
Marina offers a Tip to Induce Feeding
Hi Bob,
<Mar>
You and James answered the same query re: Copperband not eating in qt (Marine
Roulette?). When working at the LBAOP (coral lab, acclimation and tropical quarantine for
said lab) there were several "special" q/t setups. One was for the butterflies.
On their regular q/t menu was bloodworms. I saw many, many difficult species being induced to feed *while* being treated with copper (though, they have
an actual LAB there) on these things. When they hit the saltwater they *really*
start wriggling, and I swear, if you had a hook and line attached to them you'd be fishing out butterflies. They would eventually be weaned onto krill,
minced clam, and a few other meaty foods before going into display.
Marina - missing the smell of the skimmers..
<Thank you for this... Please do post. BobF>
- Another Copperband Butterfly Question, More Follow-up -
My Copperband is eating frozen Mysis shrimp, Spirulina and vitamin enriched brine shrimp and freeze dried brine shrimp. Can it survive on this diet?
<I'd like to see you ditch the brine shrimp... doesn't matter what's it's enriched with, it still is the dietary equivalent of a diet potato chip with olestra. If you could, try to get some meaty seafoods in there... some krill, mussel, shrimp, squid... would all do well by this fish.>
Thanks again, Larry
<Cheers, J -- >
