Copper and butterfly questions

[matt62950]

Hello, I’ve heard varying opinions on this fish and am wondering 1, just how reef safe it really is 2, just how hard are they to really keep 3, best tank sizes and mates for it thank you(also heard it may eat anemones, is this true? And if so would it bother Haitian/condy nems as that’s the species I plan on keeping in that tank)

 

[fishywishy]

They’re pretty reef safe, I’ve never had a problem with them nor have a seen someone have a problem with them, but it does happen sometimes. Mostly with inverts and anemones/softcorals.

If you can find one that’s already eating, fat, and healthy, they aren’t super hard to care for.

They can bother those anemones, but it’s uncommon.

I’ve kept one in a 75 gal but I think the minimum tank size would probably be a 90 gal.

Anything that isn’t super aggressive and not another butterfly is a good tank mate.

 

[Uncle99]

Mine in a 160 has not touched anything not BTA not clams, not others except wiped out every Aptasia in a month.

I picked mine personally, seen him eat PE mysis, was not any problem at all.

 

[exnisstech]

I found the thread below useful. I posted my method there. IMO they are not a terribly hard fish to keep but I don't think they are a fish that should be tossed in a DT and hope they compete for food. Some people have luck doing that but I like to condition mine and make sure they are healthy and willing to eat food from the water column not just pick at the rocks. I've also found that just because they eat at the store does not guarantee they will continue to do so when added to a DT. Mine have never bothered coral. I keep a pair with softies and a few LPS. I have kept one in my acro tank for several months with no issues.
Mine will only eat frozen and live food like black worms and white worms. They also love earth worms. I have not kept them with nems but my tank is free of aiptasia even tho they are in the overflow and sump.
My two will go head to head with the tang gang for PE mysis.




https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...-a-beautiful-but-hard-to-keep-species.906341/