Regal & Sailfin killed coper banded butterfly ???

I added a copper banded butterfly to the system last saturday. The fish was healthy and swimming fine. The sailfin chased it around for a few minutes right after it was introduced to the tank and then pretty much left it alone . Well last night I walked back in the house and the regal and the sailfin had the CB butterfly pinned to the substrate and picking at it like a bunch of wild dogs. I got out the net and scooped the CBB up and put it in the fuge. Needless to say it didnt make it. The unusual thing about it was I looked at the tank before I went outside and everything was fine all fish were swimming around and getting along fine as best I could tell. I wasnt outside more than 30 minutes so im curious of what may have happened. I know these are wild animals and anything can happen when we mix different species from different parts of the world but was wondering has anyone else ever experienced this type of behavior?

 

wow, sorry to hear this. its such a shame. but yea, tangs can get awfully mean and never know what they might do. kinda strange that its almost like something set them off to go after the CBB after a whole week. sorry man.

 

Er, aggression. They killed the CBB.

 

Sorry to hear this,that completly sucks,I just had my 6 line wrasse kill my new bicolor pseudochromis by bulling him as well,just wouldn't leave him alone,and what really sucks is allthough this isn't my first reef,it is the very first fish i have ever lost,i'm still pretty pissed about it.

 

Yea, the sailfin is kind of a bully sometimes but I have never seen the regal show any type of aggression. I really want a CBB but I am unsure if I got another one if the same thing would happen again

Yea, dont know why thou?

 

Because tangs can be nasty little dudes, especially to stuff that looks moderately similar or is in an area they consider their territory.

 

Sorry for your loss also.

I can see them harrassing them to death but it was like they smelled blood and attacked him

 

The CBB does look similar to the sailfin. That may explain some of it. The sailfin is the most aggressive fish I have but never seen it nip at anything before. It is very possible that the CBB wentinto the sailfins area.

 

I had a CBB and he ate great at the fish store and then as soon as I got him home he was Chased by my BiColor angel (who was smaller than him) for a few minutes and then left alone after that. Well after that the CBB never ate again, not any of the worms in the live rock or any live food ( brine, Bloodworms) he got skinny and weak and then became victime to my 14" stripped carpet anemone. I saw the whole thing, was real sad. I think i was depressed for days.

 

Does anyone think this may happen again if I was to get another CBB? Dont want to waste my time, money or an animals life.