Copperband no longer eating

[dusty16]

So I've had this copperband for over a month now. It went through quarantine and always ate frozen mysis right from the start. The past few days it hasnt eaten a thing that I have seen. Any tips or food I should try to get it eating again?

Tank parameters are fine. No changes to anything. Other fish are all fine. It shows interest in the food and stares it down but doesn't eat it.

[spit.fire]

Originally Posted by dusty16

So I've had this copperband for over a month now. It went through quarantine and always ate frozen mysis right from the start. The past few days it hasnt eaten a thing that I have seen. Any tips or food I should try to get it eating again?

Tank parameters are fine. No changes to anything. Other fish are all fine. It shows interest in the food and stares it down but doesn't eat it.

have you tried aiptasia?

[dusty16]

Originally Posted by spit.fire

have you tried aiptasia?

No I havent. I thought people generally dont want that in their tanks

[dusty16]

Overall hes pretty thin except the belly area. Is that normal?

[spit.fire]

i find that without aiptasia they get skinnny and die

[crimper]

Originally Posted by spit.fire

i find that without aiptasia they get skinnny and die

Not True at all. I got a couple of Aiptasia before, after a couple of weeks all aiptasia got wiped out and never seen one again.

I have my copperband for more than I year now. I feed him chopped Shrimp and chopped Clams. He is fat and tough, will always stand up for him self when get bullied by my yellow tang.

The key is to chopped the shrimps and clams in tiny pieces.

[crimper]

you can also try this approach.

https://youtu.be/8htR9pTO0Tk

I know Walter (ReefPilot) has some video on how to train your CB to eat. Just do a search on Reef Pilot's posts. I think he used some PVC and poke a bunch of holes that only fits the CB snout. Then place the chopped shrimps or clams inside the PVC. This will prevent other fishes and inverts on eating his food.

Good Luck.

[whatcaneyedo]

Try raw clam or mussel as Crimper has suggested. I had a CBB for I think 6 years that loved them in addition to its regular diet of Mysis. I never bothered cutting up the mollusks, I just pried them open then threw them into the tank. More importantly though I believe they need a large and very mature system with lots of naturally occurring prey items to choose from, especially while settling in. Once established I discovered that I had to feed mine at least 3 times a day otherwise it would start sampling coral.

[toytech]

Very hard fish to get eating , and even harder to get them to put on weight . People suggest live blackworms , clams , muscles , try a variety and feed the other fish at the same time in a different area so the cbb gets a chance to eat.

[dusty16]

Alright. Ill go grab some clam or mussel in the morning. Hopefully he starts to eat again. Thanks guys