Copperband Butterfly in my 75

[ZBT3091]

I have a standard 75 with about 60-70 lbs of LR. I just cured about 55 lbs of LR that has alot of biodiversity id be adding to the 75. I also only have 2 ocellaris clownfish and a royal gramma I plan on getting rid of. I was thinking about trying a copperband after being really unsuccessful twice before. My nitrates are 0 and im almost sure my phosphates are 0 since I barely have a bioload feeding 3 tiny fish. I also plan on adding 4 inches of sand to my 3"sand bed. The first two times I tried a copperband was when the 75 was a fowlr. I have two lfs that have very big and healthy copperbands. Im still unsure about the status of copperbands being reef safe. I have alot of zoas, acans, dendros, candy canes, frogspawn, ricordea, and kenya tree. Im basically asking if a copperband can live happily in my 75 based on my tank specs and if they are reef safe.
Thanks

 

[Brian65901]

I've have one in my 120 he dosen't go after any of my corals he only eats PE Myesis shrimp and he is timid with his tankmates

 

[ZANYMASTER]

They'll tear up featherdusters though.

 

[ZBT3091]

i dont have any featherdusters. i was really concerned with him surviving and being reef safe

 

[BZOFIQ]

they are reef safe, very hard to keep if he doesn't start eating frozen stuff. There just insn't enought food for them to go around the rocks and pick as they please.

 

[h20 freak]

Just see that he eats in the lfs and you should be fine. Idk what store you go to but don't take their word for it, watch him eat before you buy.

 

[ZBT3091]

two stores in my area have at least 2 copperbands that are very big and eating. Im thinking I should definitely take a chance. In terms of stocking copperbands are pretty shy so I can easily add more fish later on right?

 

[JLAudio]

I got one recently and he just isnt that interested in any food that isnt attached to rocks. Noteven mysis. He is doing very well but dont think his future looks too good unless he starts eating mysis

I also noticed 2 feather dusters staying in the whole time probably cause of him

 

[BZOFIQ]

Mine died yesterday. I've head him for about about 45 days, somebody gave him to me and I think it was because he wasn't eating. At first he wasn't eating at all, so to introduce him to food I picked up live brine shrimp which he slowly started picking up. Then he showed some interest in frozen mysis shrimp (soaked in garlic) which because of him I fed every day. He then cleaned up all the dusters off the rocks and whatever was crawling around. Last week he stopped eating and would pay no mind to whatever I drop in the tank. I could see that he was getting skinnier and skinnier over time.

This was the last copperband for me, whether they eat at the LFS or not. Beautifull fish but I have never suceeded in keeping them.

 

[prattreef]

They are reef safe ( feather dusters not withstanding), but do not purchase one if it is not eating frozen food aggressively. I have 2 that have been with me for several years, but as many have attested, they often don't do well in captivity.

Regarding other tankmates, tangs will be your biggest problem. Most other fish tend ignore Butterfly's IME.

 

[ferrybongo13]

OH No...I just got one...I hope he does well....I put up a thread(copperband Aiptasia experiment) He is picking at rock in a 20 gallon Q tank...so far so good..only have him for 3 days.He looks nice and healthy.

 

[h20 freak]

Has he been eating?

 

[chazertis]

What happened the previous two unsuccessful times?