What is going on here?

[Lavey29]

Gill seems oblivious to the smorgasbord of aptasia next to him. Does he need salt and pepper or something? I just don't get it, had him for 4 days and he hasn't touched the aptasia. He does nibble clams I drop for him though.

 

[Stevorino]

I've never had a copperband noticeably eat aiptasia..... I hope you have better luck!

That's great that he's eating though.... that's the hardest part by far.

 

[Lavey29]

I've never had a copperband noticeably eat aiptasia..... I hope you have better luck!

That's great that he's eating though.... that's the hardest part by far.

I watched him for a month at the LFS and all I saw him eat was clams and that's all he's nibbled for me so far. I thought they were good for aptasia? Bummer if not...

 

[exnisstech]

Are there other fish in the tank? I've had good luck with CBB isolating them for a month or two in an observation tank with some live rock. My female cleared the first tank of aiptasia then I moved her to another tank and added a male. Aiptasia are in the sump and overflow but none in the DT. IMLE these fish just seem to have a hard time adapting when they are dropped into a display with other fish.

 

[JonoH]

From what i understand, they eat small ones fine...just not the huge ones.

Its the one's that you dont see because they have already eaten them.

 

[UMALUM]

They can be hit or miss once they've started excepting food. Don't give up hope seemed like mine took weeks before he started picking at em.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I watched him for a month at the LFS and all I saw him eat was clams and that's all he's nibbled for me so far. I thought they were good for aptasia? Bummer if not...

I asked my LFS about a copperband for Aiptasia and they just mournfully shook their head.
Maybe one in 100 if the moon and the wind is right is what they said.

Pretty fish though, and maybe you have the golden fish and it just needs to settle in.

 

[Lavey29]

Are there other fish in the tank? I've had good luck with CBB isolating them for a month or two in an observation tank with some live rock. My female cleared the first tank of aiptasia then I moved her to another tank and added a male. Aiptasia are in the sump and overflow but none in the DT. IMLE these fish just seem to have a hard time adapting when they are dropped into a display with other fish.

Yes community fish and none observed harassing the CB. I've noticed that during moon light time she is more active swimming free and appears to be looking for food like aptasia with nose down in the rocks.

 

[Lavey29]

They can be hit or miss once they've started excepting food. Don't give up hope seemed like mine took weeks before he started picking at em.

This is good to know

 

[Reefering1]

4 days is not much time. Is it pecking at the rocks at all?

 

[Lavey29]

From what i understand, they eat small ones fine...just not the huge ones.

Its the one's that you dont see because they have already eaten them.

Well that's a bummer. How small?

 

[Lavey29]

4 days is not much time. Is it pecking at the rocks at all?

Yes a little once moon light comes on after other fish bed down.

 

[exnisstech]

Yes community fish and none observed harassing the CB. I've noticed that during moon light time she is more active swimming free and appears to be looking for food like aptasia with nose down in the rocks.

They start hunting when lights go out. You'll need to get it on food offered for it to survive long term. Mine never refused live white worms and black worms. They even eat earth worms but they have to be willing to compete for food. PE mysis along with rods and lrs are my staples. Mine won't touch flake or pellet.

 

[Lavey29]

They start hunting when lights go out. You'll need to get it on food offered for it to survive long term. Mine never refused live white worms and black worms. They even eat earth worms but they have to be willing to compete for food. PE mysis along with rods and lrs are my staples. Mine won't touch flake or pellet.

Yea been looking for black worms. Tried blood worms but no go.

 

[Tamberav]

Mine ate them but only the small ones.

 

[Exotrezy]

Well that's a bummer. How small?

Why not try an aiptasia eating filefish

 

[Tamberav]

If you want to buy white worms, this large portion is enough to feed for awhile. Feed the worms greek yogurt and keep them somewhere cool. If you end up with a ton of worms trying to crawl out, it is time to split the worms and half into new container with new soil.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1810179712/live-white-worm-starter-culture-in-3-cup?ref=yr_purchases

 

[Lavey29]

I just figured that since he's not eating frozen really he would supplement with aptasia eating.

 

[Lavey29]

Why not try an aiptasia eating filefish

They are hit or miss eating corals. I've got to much coral to chance it.

 

[exnisstech]

Yea been looking for black worms. Tried blood worms but no go.

Don't give up. Brine shrimp are easy to hatch and I've not had any fish refuse baby brine shrimp and many lfs sell them. If you can get it to eat anything offered give it as much as it will eat to keep it healthy and keep offering other foods.
CBB really are a great fish but unless luck is on your side they require a bit more effort than most community fish to succeed with them.