Copperband risk vs reward?

[BoonieMoe]

So I’m having the start of a aiptasia outbreak. Mostly small ones now & not a crazy amount from what I can find but I’m considering adding a small copperband into my system for awhile to try to combat the aiptasia & keep it away or at least keep the population small and somewhat managed. The risk & what I’m nervous about for my tank is I love acans, wilsoni & scolys from my understanding from the people I’ve talked to & also my LFS the copperband is the less risky at nipping these coral & other corals & less likely to completely wipe them out when compared to filefish & then also easier to remove one that does go after coral than it would be to remove peppermint shrimp which I’ve heard can wipe out acans at a surprisingly fast rate if you get one that has a liking for the taste. Curious to see what others think, experience & inputs on this topic!

 

[SaltyWalty]

I’ve got no answers for you, just wanting to hear what people have to say! I added a CBB yesterday, it’s my first butterfly fish so I’m nervous as I do have some acans, and lobos, I also want to know what people do to have long term success with these fish as I really like them!

Heres a photo of mine

 

[BoonieMoe]

I’ve got no answers for you, just wanting to hear what people have to say! I added a CBB yesterday, it’s my first butterfly fish so I’m nervous as I do have some acans, and lobos, I also want to know what people do to have long term success with these fish as I really like them!

Heres a photo of mine

They are such stunning fish! You got yourself a nice one! Any troubles with getting it to eat so far?

 

[EnterName]

My copperband saved my current tank. I had an aiptasia outbreak that I wasn't able to bring under control. AiptasiaX, Berghia nudis, Peppermint shrimp, nothing worked. The copperband solved the issue in no time and doesn't touch any corals. He picks on snails from time to time but doesn't seem to actually hurt them.

I simply asked the store what they fed him and bought the exact same food.

 

[BoonieMoe]

My copperband saved my current tank. I had an aiptasia outbreak that I wasn't able to bring under control. AiptasiaX, Berghia nudis, Peppermint shrimp, nothing worked. The copperband solved the issue in no time and doesn't touch any corals. He picks on snails from time to time but doesn't seem to actually hurt them.

I simply asked the store what they fed him and bought the exact same food.

That’s awesome & reassuring to hear! Do you have acans & meat corals in there with it?

 

[SaltyWalty]

They are such stunning fish! You got yourself a nice one! Any troubles with getting it to eat so far?

He’s only been in a day and unfortunately my fox face is bullying him so I’ll likely move the fox face to the sump for a bit to let the CBB settle in. He’s not a thin fish and looks healthy so I have hope

 

[exnisstech]

I love CBBs and have one floating in a bag now to replace the one I lost after over 2 years.
As too catching peppermint shrimp they are the first thing to go into a bottle trap when I'm trying to catch a fish. I caught three at once the last time. Mine can't pass up food. They'll swim upside down at the surface to get floating food. They're probably one of the easiest things to catch IME.

 

[BoonieMoe]

I love CBBs and have one floating in a bag now to replace the one I lost after over 2 years.
As too catching peppermint shrimp they are the first thing to go into a bottle trap when I'm trying to catch a fish. I caught three at once the last time. Mine can't pass up food. They'll swim upside down at the surface to get floating food. They're probably one of the easiest things to catch IME.

Haha he is moon walking! I bet he would be easy to catch. No bad experiences with your copper bands and LPS & meat corals?

 

[BoonieMoe]

They are such stunning fish! You got yourself a nice one! Any troubles with getting it to eat so far?

He’s only been in a day and unfortunately my fox face is bullying him so I’ll likely move the fox face to the sump for a bit to let the CBB settle in. He’s not a thin fish and looks healthy so I have hope

I am hoping my Kole tang doesn’t give mine if I add one too hard of a time. I have an acclimation box but it isn’t very large so I don’t like leaving fish in there for extended periods.

 

[EnterName]

My copperband saved my current tank. I had an aiptasia outbreak that I wasn't able to bring under control. AiptasiaX, Berghia nudis, Peppermint shrimp, nothing worked. The copperband solved the issue in no time and doesn't touch any corals. He picks on snails from time to time but doesn't seem to actually hurt them.

I simply asked the store what they fed him and bought the exact same food.

That’s awesome & reassuring to hear! Do you have acans & meat corals in there with it?

I think I had lost my acan to the Aiptasia before I added my Copperband... Right know I have bubble tip and tube-dwelling anemones, zoas, acroporas, montiporas, lobophyllias, catalaphyllias, rhodactis, gonioporas, and probably more, but I need to stock up on acans. I never saw the copperband pick on any of them. It might depend on the individual though...

 

[exnisstech]

Haha he is moon walking! I bet he would be easy to catch. No bad experiences with your copper bands and LPS & meat corals?

I don't keep many LPS.

 

[BoonieMoe]

My copperband saved my current tank. I had an aiptasia outbreak that I wasn't able to bring under control. AiptasiaX, Berghia nudis, Peppermint shrimp, nothing worked. The copperband solved the issue in no time and doesn't touch any corals. He picks on snails from time to time but doesn't seem to actually hurt them.

I simply asked the store what they fed him and bought the exact same food.

That’s awesome & reassuring to hear! Do you have acans & meat corals in there with it?

I think I had lost my acan to the Aiptasia before I added my Copperband... Right know I have bubble tip and tube-dwelling anemones, zoas, acroporas, montiporas, lobophyllias, catalaphyllias, rhodactis, gonioporas, and probably more, but I need to stock up on acans. I never saw the copperband pick on any of them. It might depend on the individual though...

Yeah I’ve seen people say it comes down to your personal fish most times but still like to see what others have experienced

 

[BoonieMoe]

They are such stunning fish! You got yourself a nice one! Any troubles with getting it to eat so far?

He’s only been in a day and unfortunately my fox face is bullying him so I’ll likely move the fox face to the sump for a bit to let the CBB settle in. He’s not a thin fish and looks healthy so I have hope

How’s your CBB doing?

 

[SaltyWalty]

So far fine, still skittish, and hides a lot and have seen it eat or pick aptasia annoyingly. I’m gonna try some fresh clams see if I can’t entice him to eat. The LFS said it’s not uncommon for them to not eat for a good few days after a big stressor.

How’s your CBB doing?

 

[exnisstech]

This is mine hunting today after I put some black worms in. I added it Saturday. This is my observation tank not his permanent home.

 

[BoonieMoe]

This is mine hunting today after I put some black worms in. I added it Saturday. This is my observation tank not his permanent home.

Hell yeah sweet! My lfs has 2 in stock right now but waiting to hear they are eating something before I pick one up

 

[SaltyWalty]

Ended up having to move the fox face as he was really bullying the CBB. He is in my wife’s little new tank as a temporary holding to hopefully off set the hierarchy, and maybe in a few weeks I can put him back in the big tank and he will be less territorial.
Here’s some photos of the bugger!
What have you found is easier to get CBB to eat? Starting ti worry as I haven’t seen it eat yet

 

[BoonieMoe]

Ended up having to move the fox face as he was really bullying the CBB. He is in my wife’s little new tank as a temporary holding to hopefully off set the hierarchy, and maybe in a few weeks I can put him back in the big tank and he will be less territorial.
Here’s some photos of the bugger!
What have you found is easier to get CBB to eat? Starting ti worry as I haven’t seen it eat yet

That’s a big boy! & I havnt picked one up yet personally bc the ones at the LFS have still not eating either & im too worried for my acans to add a hungry copperband I would try live food tho & just a variety of stuff!

 

[SaltyWalty]

That’s a big boy! & I havnt picked one up yet personally bc the ones at the LFS have still not eating either & im too worried for my acans to add a hungry copperband I would try live food tho & just a variety of stuff!

Unfortunately he didn’t make it. He never really seemed to recover from the stress of travel, and fox face didn’t really let him settle in. I tried black worm, mysis, and short neck clam he just seemed to stressed and didn’t pay any mind to any of them.
I’m gonna keep fox face in the small tank and try again. Maybe this time it will be less stressful with no other larger fish in there just some little guys.

 

[BoonieMoe]

That’s a big boy! & I havnt picked one up yet personally bc the ones at the LFS have still not eating either & im too worried for my acans to add a hungry copperband I would try live food tho & just a variety of stuff!

Unfortunately he didn’t make it. He never really seemed to recover from the stress of travel, and fox face didn’t really let him settle in. I tried black worm, mysis, and short neck clam he just seemed to stressed and didn’t pay any mind to any of them.
I’m gonna keep fox face in the small tank and try again. Maybe this time it will be less stressful with no other larger fish in there just some little guys.

dang I’m sorry to hear that, that is always rough. Hopefully the next one goes smooth & is a great addition! Let us know how it goes!