Copperband Butterfly not eating

[boeingn747]

Hi, thanks so much for your advice. The copperband unfortunately had his fins torn up in the shop but he’s improving and the lymphocytic is subsiding. I’ve increased my water changes and have reduced nitrates and I can see the cyano is depleting fast which is great. I’ll try to find live clams and I’ve heard that CBB’s can’t resist them. Unfortunately where I live in Australia many things can be difficult to find but I’ll do my best. He’s eating bloodworms and copepods at the moment but that’s really not enough nutrition for him so I’ll see what I can do for him in regard to live food such as clams. Thanks for your help!

No, that can not unfortunately sustain on powder like a mandarin can. Blood worms are not bad if he's eating them. I would also see if you can find live blackworms. Most fish seem to love them. They are not a great long term food option but great when needed, and good for finicky fish like the CBB. Beat up fins will heal. Getting weight on your fish, and getting him eating is your number one goal. I wish you success.

 

[MotoJJ]

Thank you for all of your help! I might try bloodworms to start with. Blackworms sound great but unfortunately where I live in Australia, everything is very niche so I’ll try online if the bloodworms don’t work as a starter food. Clams also sounds great and I’ll try them next if the bloodworms don’t work. Raw shrimp is something I havent heard of in relation to CBB and I’ll look into it more to have another backup

Thanks to all. Finally got my CBB to start eating in QT with half shell clam. Will see how he does in the DT given the aggressive eaters over there

 

[joseph.timbs]

I’m on day 3 trying to get my cbb to eat. I put him in the tank and immediately ate a couple aptasia, since then nothing. Put a live oyster in day 1 and he had no interest. I took it out today to spare the water quality and not let it rot. I plan on getting another tomorrow. I’ve got acros and it’s a 55 gallon tank, I’ve lowered the flow rate as much as I’m comfortable doing and shaded the side he stays in where there is less flow. I also have blocked the side of the tank so I don’t stress him walking by or checking on him. Since I don’t have more options of food I’ve concentrated on stress. I’ve been feeding him garlic soaked blood worms along with rods blend. It’s a 3 year old system with a refugium and dosed copepods that sustain a mandarin. I grow acro’s and consider it good water quality. He hasn’t moved from his side or looked through the rocks, night or day. He just seems uninterested in anything. Haven’t seen any bullying and besides the clowns there’s nothing aggressive besides my coral banded that stays on the other side. Any ideas? How much time do I have before he starves? He looks very healthy and is small, probably a bit under 2 inches BTW. Thanks