Copperband Butterfly

[thhardin]

Hi all,

I am considering purchasing a copperband butterfly for my 180 reef in order to eliminate a HUGE outbreak of aeptasia. I am looking for suggestions, as I had one a couple of years ago for the same problem, and it died about 5 months after the problem was eliminated. It definately took care of the problem, but I was unable to train it to eat other foods.

I have been considering buying it, then putting it up for adoption by others with aeptasia problems. I belong to a club locally, but have not brought up the subject yet. Any thoughts?

BTW - Unfortunately, I can not keep shrimp in my tank, as a LFS sold me a Springeri Pseudochromis. Can not get him out of my tank.

 

[Anonymous]

There seems to be a good bit of variability in how easy it is for people to get copperbands to eat regular food.

I don't know how often your fish store gets them in, but could you wait until they have one in the store that eats prepared food?

Another alternative that seems to work for some people is to set up quarentine tank, where you can train him to eat foods before you introduce him to the main tank. This way you can put food in and he won't have to compete with other fish.

 

[Tackett]

My lfs will sell copperbands that are already trained. Another option is, ask them nicely to train it for you before you take it home. If they want to make a sell they will do it.

 

[REEFFREAK77]

I tried A butterfly for my aptasia problem it ate all my feather dusters and then died would not take regular food. AND DIDN"T TOUCH THE APTASIA