New copper band

Bayareareefer18 · Nov 20, 2018

Was very happy to stop into th LFS this weekend and see they had a couple very nice looking copperbands. Both were eating in the store and looked to be healthy and active.

After bringing it home it definitely is eating mysis but seems to prefer to graze the rock crevices and pick food from under rocks. Very mobile which is exactly what I was looking for. The fish I had chosen so far are more rock dwellers so very happy with this beauty. Hoping it will find the few small aiptasias that I have lol

Definitely hoping for long term success

rob safron · Nov 20, 2018

I got one 5 weeks ago. Can not get it to eat any prepared food, at least not in front of me. Picks all day and looks happy, not looking skinny or stressed. These are hard fish to keep.

PDR · Nov 20, 2018

I just got one a few weeks ago, not eating when I got him, but he quickly took to LRS fish frenzy. He now eats reef frenzy, fish frenzy, clam, and mysis, but spits out brine lol. Starting to fatten up.

rob safron · Nov 20, 2018

I do feed a couple mysis brands, brine and LRF also. I’ll keep trying. I think he may be eating peices that get stuck to rocks and sand after they settle.

rob safron · Nov 20, 2018

I do feed a couple mysis brands, brine and LRF also. I’ll keep trying. I think he may be eating peices that get stuck to rocks and sand after they settle.

roberthu526 · Nov 20, 2018

Picking on rocks usually means he will eat aiptasia in the future. I had one for six months and he didn’t really pick on rocks and also didn’t eat any aiptasia.
The one I have now picks on rock all day but also eats mysis. It took care all the aiptasia in the tank in two days. Can’t tell you how happy I am. I sat in front of the tank for hours admiring this guy working!

Jason mack · Nov 20, 2018

Get a good supply of copepods ...I add 2-3 bags a week for mine ...I add them at night with pumps off to give them a chance too find the rocks ....I also feed Artemia and mysis ...

Bayareareefer18 · Nov 20, 2018

roberthu526 said:
Picking on rocks usually means he will eat aiptasia in the future. I had one for six months and he didn’t really pick on rocks and also didn’t eat any aiptasia.
The one I have now picks on rock all day but also eats mysis. It took care all the aiptasia in the tank in two days. Can’t tell you how happy I am. I sat in front of the tank for hours admiring this guy working!

Good to know. He definitely is constantly picking. Cool to watch how it turn and flips its body to get into the areas it wants. Definitely a fish that is nice to sit and watch.

Jason mack said:
Get a good supply of copepods ...I add 2-3 bags a week for mine ...I add them at night with pumps off to give them a chance too find the rocks ....I also feed Artemia and mysis ...

Good to know. I definitely have lots of pods since getting a nice chunk of chaeto from a member here. My chaeto is exploding and full of pods

Bayareareefer18 · Nov 20, 2018

rob safron said:
I got one 5 weeks ago. Can not get it to eat any prepared food, at least not in front of me. Picks all day and looks happy, not looking skinny or stressed. These are hard fish to keep.

Definitely have the rep of being hard to keep but worth it if you can have success. They really are a nice fish. They seem to be pretty personable as well. In the LFS as I was standing and examining them they come right up to the glass

Jason mack · Nov 20, 2018

Copepods is what they are looking for in the rocks

Bayareareefer18 · Nov 20, 2018

Jason mack said:
Copepods is what they are looking for in the rocks

Good to know. Definitely is constantly picking at the rocks and reaching under them

Jason mack · Nov 20, 2018

Had mine about a year and half now ...hes my favorite...lots of personality...but can stress easily ...I also like too feed mine live muscles I collect from the beach ...wash them in rodi , them break them open and toss one or two a day in ...my copperband goes crazy for them ...
Here's a short video feeding time in my tank

cracker · Nov 20, 2018

Consider trying a fresh clam with a chunk of frozen "quality" frozen fish food . As it picks at the clam,which they love, bits of the frozen will float out the copper will think its clam & try it. of smashing frozen food into a rock crevice . This closely mimics the natural feeding behavior. Once you get it to eat, they are big eaters & need a wide variety of food. It will never make it long on mysis or pellets etc.
Bay You got a good looking fish there. Keep trying differing stuff & mix it with what it's eating now. Hope she makes it. they are beautiful fish .

Bayareareefer18 · Nov 20, 2018

Jason mack said:
Had mine about a year and half now ...hes my favorite...lots of personality...but can stress easily ...I also like too feed mine live muscles I collect from the beach ...wash them in rodi , them break them open and toss one or two a day in ...my copperband goes crazy for them ...
Here's a short video feeding time in my tank

Thanks for sharing.

cracker said:
Consider trying a fresh clam with a chunk of frozen "quality" frozen fish food . As it picks at the clam,which they love, bits of the frozen will float out the copper will think its clam & try it. of smashing frozen food into a rock crevice . This closely mimics the natural feeding behavior. Once you get it to eat, they are big eaters & need a wide variety of food. It will never make it long on mysis or pellets etc.
Bay You got a good looking fish there. Keep trying differing stuff & mix it with what it's eating now. Hope she makes it. they are beautiful fish .

Thanks man for the words of wisdom and encouragement

Already loving this fish. Fortunately the rest of my fish aren't terribly aggressive eaters other than the foxface, which was a surprise lol

67chevellemalibu2 · Nov 20, 2018

Try clams, frozen blood worms and live black worms. I really like the Copperbands. I have one, too.

elisa h · Nov 20, 2018

Jason mack said:
Had mine about a year and half now ...hes my favorite...lots of personality...but can stress easily ...I also like too feed mine live muscles I collect from the beach ...wash them in rodi , them break them open and toss one or two a day in ...my copperband goes crazy for them ...
Here's a short video feeding time in my tank

WOW your tank is stunning! All your fish look so fat and happy. Has the copper band picked at any of your LPS?