Can Meyers's butterflyfish eat anythign besides live coral polyps?

[Rare Angels]

Lee,

I have been researching the Meyer's butterflyfish for a long time and know that they are suppose to only eat live coral polyps and will starve to death in captivity.

While doing my reasearch I came across a bit of information where you mentioned being able to convert this type of fish to foods that aren't live coral. You also mentioned that this process, or technique, is rather involved and time consuming.

These fish are my all time favorite butterflyfish but I have stayed away from them because of the live coral issue. I am writing to request from you the technique you use to convert these fish to "normal" aquarium fare. We can discuss the process and see if its something I want to get into, I love these fish too much to have them die if I can't make the necessary commitment.

Currently I breed and raise several types of clownfish, along with caring for several rare and difficult angelfish and butterflyfish. I am also working on breeding angelfish, got to get them spawning before I can work on the larval care stage....that should be interesting.

Hopefully you will see that I have the determination and desire to try the technique you have for these fish and that I am not afraid to but the time and effort forward for the fish in my care. Please let me know and we can go from there.

By the way I live in Appleton, Wi and its a great time of the year to get some new fish since the weather is nice now.

Thank you for your time

Dave

[Reefland]

Hi Rare Angels,

[leebca]

WELCOME DAVE TO REEFLAND and THIS NEW FORUM

Butterflyfishes are my favorite. I fell in love with them when I began this hobby in 1968. Couldn't get my LFS to get them in. By the early 1970's I was importing them myself. Back then an aquarist with a very large capacity could order directly from collectors!

It really wasn't until the mid-1990's that I was successful at maintaining the so-called obligate coral eating fishes. What changed was new information coming in fast on fish nutrition.

I really didn't fancy keeping corals even after the 'reef tank' explosion. But when it came to coral obligates, I had to learn what it was they needed nutritionally and then try to simulate that. I found that I couldn't beat Mother Nature, but I could compete with Her!

I guard the process and techniques for keeping these fishes because I care about the fish. I don't want to come across as snobbish or mean, but if the demand for these fishes goes up, the message will get to the collectors to collect them. This will result in the demise of thousands of these and other fishes. Frankly, few people have the time, commitment and resources to succeed with these kinds of fishes.

These fishes are in abundance in the ocean. Collectors have learned to leave them alone, though their numbers make it very tempting, as the popular fishes populations are depleted.

My concern with sharing husbandry methods on these fishes is that it will lead to demands that will decimate these species. It is a very attractive fish, along with the Ornate Butterflyfish.

Let's communicate privately on this matter. I still prefer not to share these techniques with the general public. But, you seem sincere, at least from your post. At least, you've sought out a person who has some of the answers! ;)

I believe that in the next 30 years or so the marine ornamental fishes will be tank bred -- even those needing their larval stage. You may know already that larval fishes are being collected in the 'plankton fields' and are tank raised from there. So, it is a matter of time when the marine aquarist may no longer need to buy wild fishes.

Let's talk.

[Rare Angels]

Lee,

You have a couple PM's

Dave