Copper Band Butterfly

[motorhead]

Copper Band in a reef tank to eat aiptasia?
Is it safe? Or should I add something else to rid the aiptasia?

[JamesJR]

I had one for three years in my reef until I traded it because I felt my tank was too small for it. I am a pretty experienced fish keeper, I am no true expert but the fact that I was able to keep it for that long is not a common thing. People will tell you lots of things, but after working in fish stores for 5 years and keeping one at home I will tell you what I think of them.

First off, they are very, very delicate fish. I will tell you that many of them don't make it longer than a month in our aquariums. Ask people how long they have had theirs or how many they went through until they got one to do well. Anyways, My first try did not end with success. I bought one that looked like it was in good health to begin with from my LFS but it didn't even live one day in my tank. Fortunately the store knew me well and gave me another one from their next shipment that lived three years in my tank till I traded it.

I don't think their eating aiptasia reason enough to buy one. If you simply want to get something to eat aiptasia then I would get some peppermint shrimp. They are a lot simpler to care for. besides, they don't always eat the aiptasia either.

My CBB lived in my reef for years and never bothered any corals or clams. I had xenia, zoos, sps gian clams and an open brain and the fish left them all alone. I think overall they are pretty safe in a reef tank but you never know. They could do lots of damage if they decided to start nipping.
They eat lots of worms and will make short work of any feather dusters and things like that. I think your tank should have really good live rock that is well aged before you add a CBB. they can be picky eaters but you can usually coax them with a cracked open clam or mussel, live blackworms or brine shrimp. After that you can give em brine, mysis and a broad mixture of meat based foods.

The most important thing I can tell you is to be extremely careful in your selection. If anything doesn't seem right with the fish, don't buy it. I can't stress selection enough. Also, people have been reporting that Australian CBB are much hardier but I have never had one from Australia. There are other varieties of butterflies that are supposedly hardier like the C. Marginallis and the C. Muelleri which look really similar to the copperband.

I hate to rant like this but I feel very strongly about this fish and overall, I am really hesitant to recommend them to people.

[zmovegolf]

They are a beautiful fish if you can keep them alive. I would also recommend peppermint shrimp first. They are very easy to keep and usually do well with aptasia.

[joyski58]

I tried ALLl the remedies for aiptasia infestation, even the peppermint shrimp. I got lucky w/a CBB. Look for one that's pecking at the rocks if you shop for one. Shows his interest in life. And have the store keep him for a week or two b/f you bring him home. Mine ate all the aiptasias and doesn't touch the coral. He cruises the rocks all the time for pods, etc., but won't eat any offered foods except mysis (not even clams). He loves mysis. I feed him in a.m. and the p.m. to ensure is livelihood. I also have a mature hang-on refugium to keep those pods coming. Luck of the draw w/these guys.

[cayars]

Australian CBBs are hardier but cost 3 times as much usually. I think they are prettier also.

[Joao Monteiro]

Excelent statement JamesJR.
That´s responsible reefkeeping.

[jda]

The one that I have now will not touch aips. They aren't a sure thing.

Get a peppermint for about every 5 gallons. Then, killas many aips as you can see with Joes Juice or Kalk. The peps will get the rest. You just cannot get 2 peps though and expect them to be able to whittle down AND keep up. They need help and sometimes will not go after the larger ones anyway.

[thor32766]

I have had mine over 2yrs and never touched aptasia. Tough fish. I love mine! They are so awesome to watch. This is defitnetly one of those fish you want to make sure is eating well at the LFS before brought home. Make sure your water quality is great.

[Rothie]

Mine has taken up nipping clams and open brains.
He is really beautiful and friendly with a great personality,but the damage is increasing.

[JamesJR]

Originally posted by Joao Monteiro
Excelent statement JamesJR.
That´s responsible reefkeeping.

thank you.