Copperbanded butterfly and hermit crab?

[fishingchuck]

New to the forum. Usually just lurk but I couldn’t find anything by searching so I figured I’d ask. Been restocking after a crash and added a copperbanded butterfly and h it seems to have an affinity for a large hermit crab. It always hovers right above him. Not 100% of the time but I’d say at least 30-40% of the time I look they’re together. I’m not the most experienced fish keeper but just seems strange. Curious on what everyone’s thoughts were. Thanks

 

[Fish Think Pink]

New to the forum. Usually just lurk but I couldn’t find anything by searching so I figured I’d ask. Been restocking after a crash and added a copperbanded butterfly and h it seems to have an affinity for a large hermit crab. It always hovers right above him. Not 100% of the time but I’d say at least 30-40% of the time I look they’re together. I’m not the most experienced fish keeper but just seems strange. Curious on what everyone’s thoughts were. Thanks

what else is in your tank? perhaps it just wants a friend or it seems familiar from where it lived before. I wouldn't be concerned CBB hanging out with someone peaceful

 

[fishingchuck]

Stock list is
2 butterfly longnose/copperbanded
2 tang powder blue/purple
3 angels. Koran/flame / lemon peel
2 wrasse. 6 line/ leopard
1 file fish
2 blennys
1 mandarin goby
In a 150gallon tank

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Stock list is
2 butterfly longnose/copperbanded
2 tang powder blue/purple
3 angels. Koran/flame / lemon peel
2 wrasse. 6 line/ leopard
1 file fish
2 blennys
1 mandarin goby
In a 150gallon tank

Blenny or goby seem more CBB friendly than crab, but sometimes there is no accounting. I've known my BF since we were 13, (20y break in between) and he still puts up with me

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

Maybe they are just good friends, like Limpet and Crusty ! :p

 

[jtf74]

New to the forum. Usually just lurk but I couldn’t find anything by searching so I figured I’d ask. Been restocking after a crash and added a copperbanded butterfly and h it seems to have an affinity for a large hermit crab. It always hovers right above him. Not 100% of the time but I’d say at least 30-40% of the time I look they’re together. I’m not the most experienced fish keeper but just seems strange. Curious on what everyone’s thoughts were. Thanks

Is your copperband happily eating with all the competition from those tangs ?

 

[fishingchuck]

The copper band eats very well.

 

[sp1187]

might be following along for scraps if the hermit is working the bottom.

 

[Treefer32]

He might be waiting for the right time to eat the crab. :) That said... I agree with others. CBBs have a high metabolism and like to eat constnatly. So, it's possible the hermit is finding food that it occasionally steals from crab... It's found a foodie buddy. . . Curious if the crab gets tired of its food being stolen. :)

 

[reef pirate]

He might be waiting for the right time to eat the crab. :) That said... I agree with others. CBBs have a high metabolism and like to eat constnatly. So, it's possible the hermit is finding food that it occasionally steals from crab... It's found a foodie buddy. . . Curious if the crab gets tired of its food being stolen. :)

I have had a Copperband for almost 5 years...crazy cause I couldn't keep one for more than a year in the past and lost a couple after 2 months and almost gave up. He just recently started to attack my very large hermits...not sure why as he always preferred blood worms and occasionally mysis shrimp. Maybe just getting grumpy in his old age or more hungry than usual. I have upped his feeding schedule hoping that will solve the random hermit attacks..