Copper Band Butterfly

[Oscaror]

I just got a CBB to take care of my aiptasia infestation, but also because it's a beautiful fish. So I don't want to get rid of it once my aiptasia problem is over.
So what's the best way to entice it to eat prepared foods? These aiptasias have reached plague proportions, but still aren't enough to sustain this little guy.

Any ideas?

Here's an un-helpful picture of him:

 

[carl page]

My gut feeling through it all is this .... Nothing is guaranteed... He may not eat your apataia.. Just be prepared for plan b

 

[carl page]

But I do agree a very nice addition to the tank

 

[Oscaror]

I saw him eat aiptasia at the store, but I know (and they made sure to tell me) he didn't eat (seeing how it was the day after he got shipped in)

 

[Oscaror]

I'm just really hoping he takes to prepared food

 

[carl page]

I'm sure he will after aptasia gone :)

 

[mfinn]

My copperbanded butterfly eats Mysis, frozen brine, and roe occasionally.
Wish he would go after the majanos that just popped up.

 

[Oscaror]

My copperbanded butterfly eats Mysis, frozen brine, and roe occasionally.
Wish he would go after the majanos that just popped up.

Did you have trouble getting it to eat?

 

[Aquaph8]

They do really well on live black worms if you can source them, other than that Hikari mysis is a staple. I've never had too much issue getting these guys to eat, but they are terrible about competing for food with anything that intimidates them (like tangs) Allmost always they would rather starve than show any toughness.

 

[mfinn]

Did you have trouble getting it to eat?

nope. I watched it eat at the store.
Oh, and I forgot, it loves Hykari frozen blood worms.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have had success getting picky copperbands to eat using clams, even if he is eating other foods it makes for a nice treat.

 

[Oscaror]

I have had success getting picky copperbands to eat using clams, even if he is eating other foods it makes for a nice treat.

they eat CLAMS? O_O Not maximas right?

 

[eatbreakfast]

they eat CLAMS? O_O Not maximas right?

They can in some instances, though I have never had it happen. I was referring to clams on the half shell, a treat most fish that dont normally pick at healthy, living clams will enjoy.

 

[Oscaror]

They can in some instances, though I have never had it happen. I was referring to clams on the half shell, a treat most fish that dont normally pick at healthy, living clams will enjoy.

Okay good

 

[Humblefish]

Mine eats mysis, clam, LRS foods, etc. But he really goes nuts over live blackworms. They also hunt for pods.

As Aquaph8 mentioned above, they don't handle aggression or even competition for food from other fish well. They are kinda slow, deliberate feeders.

 

[Oscaror]

Mine eats mysis, clam, LRS foods, etc. But he really goes nuts over live blackworms. They also hunt for pods.

As @Aquaph8 mentioned above, they don't handle aggression or even competition for food from other fish well. They are kinda slow, deliberate feeders.

My fish are agressive eaters, but they just bunch up in one spot and eat. I'm sure the copperband can eat the plethora of food that goes past them.

 

[arashsheikhpoor]

It takes some time but I guess keep trying to spot feed it with the suggestions above and eventually it might come around. I've actually been looking at the cbb for some time but have heard they are kind of hard to deal with. Let me know how it goes :-)

 

[Oscaror]

Found my shrimp eating it this morning, don't know what went wrong :(

 

[miyags]

Try raw table shrimp or scallops cut up in tiny pieces. Then have some for yourself. My CB is bigger now and eats every thing. raw shrimp are alot cheaper than mysis pound per pound.

 

[goldy26]

i have had my go at a few of these guys, they are my favorite fish so it's hard for me to give up on them. the first one i ever had ate frozen anything. one ICH problem later and he was gone. the last 2 i have tried wouldn't eat frozen at all, not even react to it. best bet is to see if they are eating in the store before getting. i've read one article which put cubes of food in a PBC pipe that had caps on either end with drilled holes so that a CBB could pick at food through it. i guess that works a good amount of the time, i never tried it though.