Feed copperband butterflies live or frozen foods like mysid shrimp, brine shrimp, clams, bloodworms, and insect larvae. Experiment with different food types, prioritizing live foods, until you find a food that the fish readily accept.
What do you feed your copperband butterflyfish?
To keep costs down I distract the other fish and get the Copperband a head start on feeding. This allows me to feed them only frozen mysis which is significantly cheaper than clams. Clams are, however, one of the best foods for getting a picky Copperband Butterflyfish to eat.
Are copperband butterflyfish reef safe?
When startled the Butterfly fish is a frequent jumper, which can lead to a quick loss. While butterflyfish are generally considered not reef safe, the copperband will generally not bother corals, with a few individuals nipping at them from time to time. The exception here are star polyps, which are frequent targets of the Copperband Butterflyfish.
What is the best way to keep a butterflyfish?
Copperband Butterflyfish should be kept in a peaceful marine community aquarium, ideally with a large reef, but this isn’t an option for everyone. At the bottom of the tank, create a layer of sand.
What kind of sand do butterflyfish need?
Copperband Butterflyfish should be kept in a peaceful marine community aquarium, ideally with a large reef, but this isn’t an option for everyone. At the bottom of the tank, create a layer of sand. Aragonite sand is a good option because it looks like normal sand, but it is made up of calcium carbonate, like coral skeletons.
How do you take care of a Copperband butterflyfish?
0:007:33Copperbanded Butterflyfish Care Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first thing you'll need to consider is how suitable your tank is most literature will recommendMoreThe first thing you'll need to consider is how suitable your tank is most literature will recommend at least a 100 gallon tank which effectively means four foot by two foot by two foot.
Will copperband butterfly eat pellets?
Once the Copperband Butterflyfish is eating and looks healthy, try getting it to eat frozen mysis shrimp. Once they are eating aggressively, then try to get them to eat flakes or pellets. Most of the time, it will require them to see other fish-eating the food flake or pellets.
What do you feed butterfly fish?
Unless otherwise noted in individual species profiles, most all Butterflyfishes can be fed a varied diet of vitamin-enriched marine fish, crustacean, and mollusk flesh, mysid shrimp, and any appropriate frozen preparations suitable for carnivores.
Will copperband butterfly eat bloodworms?
He will only eat bloodworms and blackworms.
How do I get my copperband butterfly to eat?
So much food there is no way the slow eaters can't get some. Another thing I do is put food at opposite ends of the tank. Put in a clam or 2 on one end first and let the aggressive eaters go after them. Then put another one on the other side.
How long do copperband butterfly fish live?
about 10 yearsLife span is about 10 years. Larval and juvenile stages have similar marking to the adult, but lack its long snout. The long snout is an adaptation for feeding on benthic invertebrates in crevices and holes. Considered difficult to keep in a home aquarium.
What do butterfly fish need to survive?
The aquarium should have plenty of hiding places which can be made up of corals and rocks, ideally live rock. Butterflyfish require large aquariums, some species require a minimum of 75 gallons, and others require at least 150 gallons. This will provide them with plenty of open space for swimming.
How often do you feed a butterfly fish?
Feed at least 3 times per day (young specimens will need more frequent feeding). Only one Copperband Butterflyfish should be housed per tank unless a male – female pair is obtained.
Can butterfly fish survive in freshwater?
The African butterfly fish is also known as Freshwater butterflyfish, African butterflyfish or Pantodon buchholzi. This species is a fascinating freshwater fish from West Africa. Scientists refer to the Freshwater butterflyfish, which has survived unchanged for 100 million years, as an actual living fossil.
What corals do copperband butterfly eat?
Mine picked at micromussa, trachyphyllia, caulastrea, and favia.
Do copperband butterflies eat Bristleworm?
Fish and invertebrates that hunt bristle worms down and eat them include Arrow crabs, Coral Banded Shrimp, Wrasses, Flame and Long Nose Hawkfish, Orchid Dottyback and Neon Dottyback, Gobbies, Copperband Butterflyfish, Goatfish, Horseshoe crabs, and some Pufferfish species.
How big does a copperband butterfly get?
Size: Copperband butterflyfish grow to about eight inches (20 cm) in length. Behavior: They are diurnal, usually found singly or in pairs and are very territorial. Their elongated snout enables them to obtain food from cracks, crevices and holes.
How to know if copperband butterflyfish are unhealthy?
Look out for any signs that the fish are unhealthy, such as a loss of color, physical wounds, or indications of disease. If you find that something is wrong, head to a different store.
Where do copperband butterflyfish live?
These saltwater fish naturally come from the Pacific and Indian Oceans where they inhabit reefs around Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. The corals and rocks of a reef create excellent shelter. Copperband Butterflyfish will stick to one area, returning regularly to their territory.
What is the habitat of butterflyfish?
Their natural habitat is a coral reef or rocky shoreline , though sometimes they are spotted in estuary environments. They need warmth and plenty of live rock to graze on.
Can copperband butterflyfish overstock?
Be careful not to overstock your tank. If your fish don’t have enough space, then aggressive outbursts may be more frequent and could affect even peaceful tank mates. Invertebrates may be at risk on your reef, especially small ones. Copperband Butterflyfish enjoy a carnivorous diet full of invertebrates.
Can you keep copperband butterflyfish in a community aquarium?
Tank Mates. You can keep Copperband Butterflyfish in a community aquarium if you have carefully considered the compatibility of any tank mates. Lots of popular reef species can be potential options. The main qualifying factor for a good tank mate is their temperament; they need to be peaceful.
Can butterflyfish be aggressive?
Aggression can be a bit of a problem with these fish, but it can be avoided by choosing the right tank mates. Their aggression is usually directed towards other butterflyfish, so don’t mix them with similar species. They generally get on well with peaceful fish.
Can you keep two copperband butterflyfish together?
Two Copperband Butterflyfish will fight when kept together, which will lead to injury or death for at least one of them, if not both. Keep them singly. Usually, the exception to this is for a breeding tank, but these fish are very difficult to breed, so it isn’t worth the effort.
What is the best food for butterflyfish?
Finally the best frozen food to use is mysis shrimp. These are much more nutritious than the previous two choices, however they are also the least accepted food.
What to do if your fish is not eating?
This will make the feeding much easier and keep the fish from being harassed. If the fish is not eating try switching to more easily accepted foods. While they may not be as nutritious any food will help. You can leave a fair amount of food in the tank with them, even if they don’t eat it right away.
Can copperband butterflyfish be bred?
Due to their large size and fragile nature, the Copperband Butterflyfish has not been bred in captivity as of yet. Likewise their gender cannot be determined except for size. Males will be larger than females, however the size difference will frequently just be age. For these reasons I cannot recommend trying to pair butterfly fish without a large 200+ gallon tank.
Is copperband a poor hunter?
Remember: The Copperband Butterflyfish is a poor hunter. Feeding the bare minimum in order to reduce waste in the tank will often see these fish slowly starve to death. Opt for more heavy feedings with more frequent water changes. YouTube. ReefNation.
Can a butterfly fish refuse food?
It is not uncommon for a butterfly fish to refuse food, even to the point of starvation. For this reason we as responsible aquarists must find foods that they will accept until we can transition them onto our target food. Remember: The Copperband Butterflyfish is a poor hunter.
Do copperband butterflyfish eat aiptasia?
Additionally they will prey upon fan worms and Aiptasia, however you may need to tempt them onto the Aiptasia by covering them with other foods. Overall the Copperband Butterflyfish is not very hardy making it a poor choice for inexperienced aquarists.
Is copperband coral safe?
While butterflyfish are generally considered not reef safe, the copperband will generally not bother corals, with a few individuals nipping at them from time to time. The exception here are star polyps, which are frequent targets of the Copperband Butterflyfish.
Copperband Butterflyfish Facts & Overview
Appearance & Behavior
Copperband Butterfly Care & Tank Requirements
- Copperband butterflies are sensitive fish that have high care requirements. The fish require stable water parameters that mimic their natural saltwater habitat. Feed copperband butterflyfish a carnivorous diet.
Tank Mates
- Copperband butterflies can be housed in a community aquarium with compatible reef-friendly tank mates. Don’t house copperband butterflies with other species of butterflyfish because the fish exhibit aggressive and territorial behavior toward one another. Invertebrates aren’t good tank mates for these fish because they feed on invertebrates in the wild. Ideal tank mates for the cop…
Diet and Feeding
- In the wild, copperband butterflies eat an invasive coral species called aiptasia, as well as worms, tiny shrimp, and fish fry. Replicate the fish’s carnivorous diet in captivity with a range of nutritious, protein-rich foods. Copperband butterflies are difficult to feed, especially when first introduced to the tank. Stressed or nervous fish often ...
Breeding
- The copperband butterfly is one of the most difficult fish to breed in captivity. Only accomplished aquarists with a long history of successful breeding should consider breeding these fish. There are very few reports of successful breeding of the copperband butterfly in captivity, and little information about how to encourage the fish to mate. Attempting to breed copperband butterflie…
Should You Get A Copperband Butterfly For Your Aquarium?
- Copperband butterflies are beautiful fish with higher care needs than most saltwater aquarium fish. You should consider getting a copperband butterfly if you have experience in rearing saltwater fish and enough funds to design a reef tank tailored to these fish. Don’t get a copperband butterfly if your existing tank contains incompatible fish or you don’t want to care fo…