General Help - Copperband question...

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Copperband question...

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: General Help
Forum Description: The place to ask about pest, problems, hitchhikers, etc.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=59497
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Topic: Copperband question...

Posted By: Moosetang
Subject: Copperband question...
Date Posted: October 07 2012 at 1:53pm

I'm stuck at a mystery of my Copperband Butterfly. I've had him for a little over a month. Although I've never seen him eat, at all, he hasn't perished. He does become alert when I do feed the tank but I never physically see him eat. He is not pinch either. But not gained weight. He looks very healthy and active. Any ideas? Also, ways or different approaches to maybe get him to start fattening up.

I feed Myisis, Formula one and two, brine and algae flakes.

Thanks all!!

Replies:

Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: October 07 2012 at 2:30pm

Try live blackworms (I think Bird World might have these)

Also frozen bloodworms, glassworms

Copperbands are worm eaters in nature; they pick them out of holes in the reef rock (hence the long nose)

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- My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) -

* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *

Posted By: 1stupidpunk
Date Posted: October 07 2012 at 2:57pm

If you happen to have any aiptasia he may be eating that. When i had my copperband he wouldnt eat much frozen food until he had cleared out all my aiptasia

Posted By: Moosetang
Date Posted: October 07 2012 at 3:05pm

I used to have aiptasia that's why I got him. But he never touched it so I had to deal with that differently. I'll give bloodworms a go and see what happens. It seems as Bird World is hit and miss with the black worms but ill check there also. I've head store bought freshwater clams help too. Is that true?

Posted By: Moosetang
Date Posted: October 13 2012 at 4:37pm

Update...

He's is now eating live black works extremely well. And suggestions to wean him onto frozen??

Posted By: Jimbo
Date Posted: October 13 2012 at 5:22pm

Get yourself some frozen PE brand Mysis shrimp, they will sometimes learn to feed on that. Continue the live blackworms in the meantime. BTW, where did you get the Blackworms? Been looking for a Copperband myself.

Posted By: Moosetang
Date Posted: October 13 2012 at 5:28pm

Pet Village in Bountiful/Woodscross. They are about $2.50/Tbls.

He almost accepts the generic brand Myisis but not quiet yet. I'll pick up some PE and see what happens.
(Hope,hope,hope!)

Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: October 13 2012 at 6:37pm

Mine eats Hikari mysis with a vengence. Try hikari mysis.

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335G Reef
TOTM.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium
ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month

&

Posted By: Moosetang
Date Posted: October 13 2012 at 9:10pm

That's what I have now is the Hikari. He almost goes for it but it seems he's not quiet sure about it.

Posted By: bur01014
Date Posted: October 13 2012 at 11:39pm

get him fat and healthy on the live black worms...I get my worms at fish 4 u....then buy the frozen blocks of the blood worm/brine mix....this food isn't the healthiest but it closely resembles the live blood worms....once he acquires a taste for that frozen food, then start weaning him onto the frozen mysis...I've had the best luck with P.E. mysis....but I think any will do!

Posted By: Moosetang
Date Posted: October 14 2012 at 10:46am

This is my 3rd Copperband. And this one seems to be doing incredibly well. Are my chances pretty high on keeping this fish for a long period with this situation?

Posted By: Moosetang
Date Posted: October 16 2012 at 8:33pm

Well... I hope he stays happy and healthy. Thanks for everyone's advice!