Copperband butterfly

m_lacom99 · 10-19-2004, 07:30 AM

Hey all.

My LFS just got a big order of fish and i was wondering what do you guys think of a Chelmon rostratus "Copperband Butterflyfish". The guy at my LFS told me it was reef safe but i've heard its not, what do you all think. Any one had one before, good fish or not???

Was just wondering before i go and buy it and it starts eating the little coral a have.

On the bright side its pretty cheap, 30$ for a good size fish. I know all you U.S residents are going

but here up in Canada everything is expensive. I'm paying LR 7$ a pound and that a very good deal cause its usually around 10$ a pound, and fish are the same. Its the shipping that kills us i think.

Anyways enough *****ing about the prices.

Let me know what you think about the fish.

thanks...
marc...

Malachi · 10-19-2004, 07:39 AM

I have heard and read they are difficult to keep. The one book i have, has them rated as a 3 on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the easiest. I also have heard mixed reviews about being reef safe. My LFS will not carry them any more, his customers have not have a good sucess rate, not sure if that helps or not.

Birdlady · 10-19-2004, 11:34 AM

Copperband's diet consist of coral polyps

Pretty fish tho!

m_lacom99 · 10-20-2004, 02:44 AM

Ok then. i guess no copperband for me...

thanks guys

marc...

rayjay · 11-02-2004, 04:24 AM

Well, I don't know what kind of coral polyps they eat in their diet but mine hasen't touched any corals in the several years I've had it. He does eat aptasia, and the small worms that grow all over the rock, but has never bothered my corals, clams. cleaner shrimp, or serpent stars.

OoNickoC · 11-02-2004, 04:25 PM

those guys/gals may nip @ LPS (large polyp Stonies) Zoos, and soft corals...if they are starving or evil (i perfer the term evil) It is really hit or miss with these guys. My intuition would tell me (and may help you) lean away from an adult as they are more likley to be "set in thier ways", I have been able to wean many hard to feed butter's with the starvation/patience/luck technique. I had one for about two years and he ate frozen food right off the bat, but have on the other hand seen a few slowly waste away. If you see it eat two-three days in a row (a tall order for many lfs's) then ild snatch him. $30 aint bad if hes big.