Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board  

Go Back   Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board > General > Marine Fish

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-28-2010, 02:02 AM
Doug's Avatar
Doug Doug is offline
Rest In Peace
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kamloops BC
Posts: 4,920
Doug has disabled reputation
Default Copperband butterfly

Just thought I would post some of this info again for all those asking about keeping copperbands lately.

I had good luck with this one, except he liked to sample ornamental clams. You need to find a healthy looking specimen in the store and after its been there for a bit. You could tell almost with in days which ones we got in would be healthy.

If it was me, I would want to see them eating mysis first. Mine was a good aiptasia eater but also ate mysis and Marine pellets. After participating in a thread elsewhere, I decided to try fresh water clams for him. They are called Manila clams and sold in a bag, here at Superstore.

He/she, just loved them. I used the clip shown in the pic after attempting to recover half shells from the tank bottom. Kept the clams frozen. Took one out at feeding time, cut it in half, put the other half back and the other part on the clip.

All the other fish also loved this and lined up behind the copperband for the particles falling away.




Others have said this is one way to get finicky eaters to eat. Those of us whose ate aiptasia also, never seen any difference after they started to eat clam halves.

Now the big thing I question. Does feeding fresh water clams, induce them to eat ornamentals also. Most say no. Mine was already a clam nibbler when I started to feed the Manila,s so I cant comment on that and he/she never changed in that respect.

If no ornamentals are kept then no problem but if so, then keep an eye on them. Mind you Copperbands can turn on clams regardless.

So I hope this can be of some help.
__________________
Doug
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-28-2010, 02:14 AM
Zoaelite's Avatar
Zoaelite Zoaelite is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 2,461
Zoaelite is on a distinguished road
Default

It's hard to say as the clams are two completely different species, I wouldn't take the risk but you never know. I know of a few people that had tangs "Accidentally" munch on a few zoa polyps only to turn them into crazy zoa eating machines.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-28-2010, 02:22 AM
Doug's Avatar
Doug Doug is offline
Rest In Peace
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kamloops BC
Posts: 4,920
Doug has disabled reputation
Default

The risk is to keep the copperband alive, which many have problems with. If one decides to keep a copperband, then one should be prepared to feed it properly and as both I did and the copperbands other owner, move the clams out if necessary.

I agree with Levi, that the clams being completely different, should not turn them on to ornamentals, which is also the general agreement of others in the mentioned thread.

All grazing fish are a risk to many of the corals we keep. Like his mentioned tang, my sailfin once ate a small piece of a large finger leather I was cutting, thinking it was his food. Decided that was pretty good. Although he never really bothered the leather, anytime I was fragging he was in my hands chowing down the pieces that floated loose.
__________________
Doug
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-28-2010, 04:16 PM
plutoniumJoe's Avatar
plutoniumJoe plutoniumJoe is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 283
plutoniumJoe is on a distinguished road
Default

Interesting thread. I have yet to get my copperband to eat pellets but look forward to the day where he might.

I have a question regarding the clams though, once they start on the clams are they still as interested in the mysis or even pellets at that point?

-Joe
__________________
210 Gallon slowly gaining population.

Foxface, Naso, Coral Beauty, 2 Clowns, 2 Chromis, Orange Anthias, and Striped Goby.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-28-2010, 04:45 PM
Lance's Avatar
Lance Lance is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 3,572
Lance is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by plutoniumJoe View Post
Interesting thread. I have yet to get my copperband to eat pellets but look forward to the day where he might.

I have a question regarding the clams though, once they start on the clams are they still as interested in the mysis or even pellets at that point?

-Joe


My CBB would eat only clams and mussels for months before he finally tried mysis. Now he will eat most meaty foods, but will not touch flakes or pellets. And yes he still loves his clams.
__________________
225g reef
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-28-2010, 04:50 PM
Doug's Avatar
Doug Doug is offline
Rest In Peace
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kamloops BC
Posts: 4,920
Doug has disabled reputation
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by plutoniumJoe View Post
Interesting thread. I have yet to get my copperband to eat pellets but look forward to the day where he might.

I have a question regarding the clams though, once they start on the clams are they still as interested in the mysis or even pellets at that point?

-Joe
Mine was eating mysis before and yes, still ran them down when I fed. All my fish have always ate the Ocean Nutrition formula one small pellets and I was surprised by the copperband picking some up from the bottom. I dont believe it was a favourite food though.
__________________
Doug
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-17-2010, 03:16 AM
2pts 2pts is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Vernon, BC, Canada
Posts: 123
2pts is on a distinguished road
Default

Mine eats Mysis Shrimp and any Aptasia I can scrounge up for him.

Any body try feeding Glassworms? I bought a pack but when I got home I noticed it didn't say for fresh and salt like the other stuff I bought. Only "freshwater". I'm kind of afraid to add it to my mix untill I know it is ok.

I put a cube in the tank and the copperband ate them, yet he will not touch Brine at all
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 01:22 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.