coralivore feeders ( butterfly fish)

[fishy+3]

Hi,

In light of this thread http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=112722 I didn't feel to crazy about hijacking their thread. So here is my question we know that the fabulous 4 are coralivore's Ornate,Orange faced, Redfin and the Meyer's ( I know there's a few I'm missing :wink: ). Now if a specimen of either one was purchased as a juvenile (up to 1" in length) would it be more inclined to accept prepared food over coral polyps? These B-fly's kinda make me think of the Rock Beauty Angel in a since. Adult Rock Beauty's require sponge in their diet to thrive. While the juvenile of the same fish are not as dependent on sponge and eats other foods with gusto IME. Any thoughts or theory in regards to my question would be appreciated.

TIA

 

[Pavaphon]

As I've been experience with the coralivore for a period, I don't see anyone can be successful in keeping the ornate(C. ornatus) and the meyer's (C. meyeri) alive in captivity for more than a few months. You could see from their teeth and how their mouth was design to specialize on the coral polyp. From my own experiece my C. triangulum, C. lunulatus, and C. trifasciatus survives for only about six months, even though they except my seafood mix paste in the seashell.

 

[fishy+3]

Pavaphon,

Did the size of the fish have any relevance to it's willingness to accept prepared food. Your location tells me that you would have access to just about any size. (fish) So that's what prompt me to ask. I'm tempted to try a Ornate about a 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch long. In a practical thought it would seem that a specimen this small would not be a die hard coralivore yet. Ofcoarse I have been wrong before so more or less give it to trial and error I suppose. My thought is we as hobbyist are overlooking something with regards to these fish and 9 times outta 10 I bet it's the simplest thing in the world.

 

[Pavaphon]

Frankly speaking, you can't trust a shop here at all. They will have a pattern of answering to any questions about fish as "they're easy to feed, feed them with brine shrimp, and they're peaceful".

If you're here in Thailand, I never seen the juvenile of C. ornatus or C. meyeri about that size before. The smallest that I've ever seen here is about 1.5 inches and it does poorly too.

 

[fishy+3]

Pavaphon,

From my own experiece my C. triangulum, C. lunulatus, and C. trifasciatus survives for only about six months, even though they except my seafood mix paste in the seashell.

I ment to ask you about this. From these three you listed did you use dither fish damsels,chromis ect ect to get them started on prepared food are did they take off on their own? It could be size is everything the smaller the better..

Frankly speaking, you can't trust a shop here at all. They will have a pattern of answering to any questions about fish as "they're easy to feed, feed them with brine shrimp, and they're peaceful".

Don't feel bad there's some stores in the states that are just as bad :wink: Shoot the two store's in my area are looney :roll:

 

[Pavaphon]

No need to use any dither fish to get it start. Healthy specimen will be curious at any new addition drop in the aquarium. I put them in their own tank so that no other fish would disturb them from getting acclimate to the surrounding and new type of food. The best size would be around 2.5-3 inches. Huge specimen would be in the corner of the tank, feel threathen when we appear in front and not eating anything.

 

[fishy+3]

Well,

That idea of purchasing 1/2 to 3/4 inch fish flopped for the time being. The importer cited to make it worth while for the collector and himself that 1,000 would have to purchased coming to a price of $2000.00 are somewhere around the price. (sigh) Anyone in Hawaii feel like shipping me a few specimens 1/2 to 3/4 inch Ornate B-fly's :wink:

Pavaphon,

Thanks for the information I appreciate it..

 

[fishy+3]

Hi all,

I'm very close to trying my luck here. The only problem is I'm having issue's finding a online shop that will order or can get 2 C. larvatus at about 1" to 1 1/2". Does anyone have any idea's on where to look for these fish. I only want a live arrival and 2 healthy specimens.

 

[Filio]

I believe Larvatus are red sea endimic and not much in the way of anything is coming out of the red sea right now especially a custom order item like juv. Larvatus. The little red sea fish that are being collected are coming out of Yemen which has collection practices similar to the Phillipines thus the fish are not as healthy as they used to be.
I would wait until Saudi Arabia starts supplying fish again.

 

[fishy+3]

Filio,

Your probably right with the export of fish from that region. Somehow I don't see the fish situation getting any better until the conflict is over and done with over there which might be 2-3 more years ( just guessing) I might aim for a related member C. triangulum C.baronessa I can find both of these right now. Most of the other coralivores can be had easily. Then again I might just wait for the first of next year. Since we're getting closer to the silly season.

 

[eric.m.s]

ornates are one of my favorites as well...if you can get your hands on any of the fish mentioned please let me know. it will be a few years until i try one, but i am researching their(obligate polyp eaters) feedings habits more so i am able to grow large corals of their liking.

 

[fishy+3]

kk