copperband butterfly?

[karlas]

ive been trying to find out about copperband butterflies and most info says that they are the most reef safe (not completely). i was recently thinking about getting one but with plans on future corals. probably start getting them soon. do you think it would be ok or should i just nix it all together? id like any personal opinions or would like to know if anybody has done it.

[Matt Rogers]

Karla,

Those are beautiful fish.

I had a Raccoon butterfly once, but never a Copperband. BUT, my Kole did kill my Raccoon. I know you have a Kole so I wanted to let you know. They were in a smaller tank than yours - a 40 breeder (I was in college and didn't know better!) and, more importantly they were the same size. I think that had something to do with it.

Anyway, I am sure you have done your own research, but I wanted to share what I found in case it is different.

One source:

Butterflyfish (Most) Many eat coral, all tend to be delicate.
Exceptions: Copperband butterfly (delicate, but coral safe).

Another source:

This article is to inform you about a fish that you may need to advoid, because they are quite delicate. The Copperband Buttefly has an incredible look to it though, and although it may occasionally nip at Open Brain Corals if it is starving, it is generally reef safe and will eat pest anemones (Aipstia), and Bristleworms in the aquarium.

It is estimated that 35% starve to death (due to not quarenting and not giving it the right food) and another 20% die within 3 months. That's over half of them.

Besides not quarenting them, another reason they don't live and die unexplicable deaths is because of their unique diet. They need a whole lot of protein. Mysid shrimp should be offered as opposed to Brine. Possibly frozen squid. Clam meat, maybe scallops, and mussels should be offered along with the standard flakes and lettuce. Black Worms could possibly be another suitable food. Where their imported from and how they're caught does make a big difference, however this pretty fish needs specific dietary conditions in order to survive for the long term, and Brine Shrimp as the only source of food just does not cut it.

Getting them to accept food in captivity can be quite challenging. Quarentine them in a 10-20 gallon tank, 20 is better, and leave an open mussel in the aquarium for the fish to naturally pick at. When the inside of the Mussell is gone, begin placing other foods into the open Mussell, and eventually you can coax it onto just about any food.

Sources:
http://www.reefcorner.com/Manual/specimens_to_avoid.htm

http://members.tripod.com/mark26/copperband.html

I hope this helps, but I totally agree with you about hearing from someone that actually has one.

So I hope someone speaks up!

[stevem650]

Here is a link for the copperband butterfly.


http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...amp;pCatId=212

[Wrassman]

Hey all,

I've never tried a copperband in a reef tank, though I have kept a few in FOWLR tanks. My experience has been that they are peaceful fish, with great personalities. They do eat aiptasia with a vengance (at least mine have), but I've never kept them around any corals to I can't personally attest to their being coral-safe or not. They are very nice fish, though. [smiley=thumbs_up1.gif]

The MOST reef-safe butterfly, I believe, is the Chaetodon sedentarius. Here's a pic from Fish Base:


Mostly known as the Reef Butterflyfish, the diet of these fish consists of, "Prefers to feed on eggs of Abudefduf saxatilis (Ref. 9626) but also on polychaete worms, shrimps, amphipods and hydroids." also from FishBase.

Here's the link for more info:http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Spec...ry.cfm?id=3605

[karlas]

thnx for the link on the butterfly i do love the butterflyies if i dont get one for my reef tank ive been thinkin of other ideas for another tank maby fo or someting like that if i do a butterfly is one i want

[johnny]

I recently tried keeping a copperband in my reef tank and it didnt turn out so well, He killed one clam and ate my xenia's with a vengence. Unless you have hourglass anenomes I would advise against it cause they are a pain to get out of your tank when you do find out they are eating your corals.

[Matt Rogers]

Good to know johnny...
Welcome to 3reef!

[flash=468,60]http://www.3reef.com/fish/sitepics/threesteps3.swf[/flash]

[Gresham]

YAh, I had the same problem with the chelmon (copperband). Once my aptasia was wiped out, he started in on my LPS (they love those) and mushrooms. He sstayed away from my open brain for some reason and he also stayed away from both types of my xenia.