Copperband Butterfly

[Lance]

I've had mine 2.5 years. Got it from a fellow Canreefer. It would only eat fresh shellfish at the time but I eventually got it to eat any fresh or frozen meaty foods; it will not touch flakes or pellets. For a special treat I periodically place fresh clam meat in a clear pill box that I drilled 1/4 inch holes in. I place the Selcon-soaked clam in it and drop it into the tank. The other fishes can't get at the food but the CBB can get his long, narrow nose in.
I think I have been successful with mine because the fish may be retarded. It shows absolutely no fear, and will try to steal food from much larger, aggresive fishes, including a 7" Lunare Wrasse and a 6" Tuskfish. It is so stupid it once chased a piece of mysis to the overflow teeth and stood there waiting for it to reappear for a good two minutes. Meanwhile food is swirling all around it which it doesn't even notice as it is so intent in catching that mysis when it comes back out of the overflow.

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by Lance

It is so stupid it once chased a piece of mysis to the overflow teeth and stood there waiting for it to reappear for a good two minutes. Meanwhile food is swirling all around it which it doesn't even notice as it is so intent in catching that mysis when it comes back out of the overflow.

Thats awesome! Ha ha ha!

[Tderow30]

I was also always told cbb were very hard to keep but i still wanted to give him a try. I have had him for about 5 months now and he is doing amazing. I have only 2 clowns, peppermint, cleaner shrimp and a arrow crab with him. I had no trouble getting him to eat. At the start he loved pickign at some of my soft corals but now he doesnt even touch them. He ended up cleaning my aptaisa in about 2 days and keeps the feather dusters down to a bare minium! As much as i can tell he is loving life so hopefully he stays healthy I will be needed to upgrade my tank in these next couple months since i do only have a 55 gal right now :O

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Lance

I've had mine 2.5 years. Got it from a fellow Canreefer. It would only eat fresh shellfish at the time but I eventually got it to eat any fresh or frozen meaty foods; it will not touch flakes or pellets. For a special treat I periodically place fresh clam meat in a clear pill box that I drilled 1/4 inch holes in. I place the Selcon-soaked clam in it and drop it into the tank. The other fishes can't get at the food but the CBB can get his long, narrow nose in.
I think I have been successful with mine because the fish may be retarded. It shows absolutely no fear, and will try to steal food from much larger, aggresive fishes, including a 7" Lunare Wrasse and a 6" Tuskfish. It is so stupid it once chased a piece of mysis to the overflow teeth and stood there waiting for it to reappear for a good two minutes. Meanwhile food is swirling all around it which it doesn't even notice as it is so intent in catching that mysis when it comes back out of the overflow.

Your pill box sounds similar to what I did initially with my Copperbands. I too first used chopped up fresh clam, and then gradually introduced other foods. But like yours, mine still won't eat flake or pellet food.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fQjAZjafxM

And yes, once they lose their fear, they get quite aggressive going after the food. I feed mostly dry floating food, but they are a little clumsy with their long beaks, and often miss, and just suck air. Sometimes food gets knocked up against the top glass or under the euro brace. But my Copperband will still try for it by sticking his long beak right out of the water, and spitting water. It usually works.