Reef Safe Butterfly

Blennie · 11-15-2006, 05:51 PM

Hello, I have been looking for a butterfly fish i can bring into my reef tank. I understand that there aren't any that are considered reef safe but, I have read that copperbands are the best choice to attempt in a reef environment. I have also read that they are very hard to get to eat and may starve instead of taking food. Has anyone had any experience with butterflies in reef tank, is this safe to try, and what type would you recommend.

this is my first post... be gentle

***Reefland*** · 11-15-2006, 05:58 PM

Hi Blennie,

I have kept the Copperband for extended periods of time without any problems, however feeding is a problem commonly encountered. The key is to find one that is already accepting frozen food such as mysis shrimp. They have been known to nip at corals and clam mantles especially, but this is hit and miss. Typically as long as they are getting enough food, this isn't an issue. Some provide clams and muscles to the copperband which can be acquired at seafood sections of large grocery stores.

SueT · 11-15-2006, 06:57 PM

I have had my copperband for going on 7 years. It was about the size of a quarter when I got it. Long story.,. Anyway, I feed this fish the Piscene Energetics brand of mysis shrimp. It is the very best for feeding. My copperband will nip clams and I only have 1 right now and it's like no big deal anymore. But I will not add another knowing this fish would nip at it. Mine does not bother my sps.

almostdiva · 11-16-2006, 10:41 AM

The smaller ones (around 2 or 3 inches) are TOUGH. I successfully kept a 4inch + one for quite awhile, then he started eating my shrimp, so I traded him in at the LFS. I've tried about 3 of the small ones since, none has made it longer than a month. Be prepared to possibly lose a smaller one. In my experience, a freshly opened clam is the BEST thing to get them to start eating.

CSeaSee · 11-17-2006, 02:49 PM

I think someone on here got three Pyramid Butterflyfish earlier this year- they are supposed to be completely reef safe. I'm not sure where the link is, but try doing a search.

**charlie** · 11-17-2006, 04:36 PM

One of my friendliest and active fish. I have had him for about 2 years now.

11-15-2006, 05:51 PM	#1
Blennie Just Moved In Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: north ontario canada Posts: 29	Reef Safe Butterfly Hello, I have been looking for a butterfly fish i can bring into my reef tank. I understand that there aren't any that are considered reef safe but, I have read that copperbands are the best choice to attempt in a reef environment. I have also read that they are very hard to get to eat and may starve instead of taking food. Has anyone had any experience with butterflies in reef tank, is this safe to try, and what type would you recommend. this is my first post... be gentle

11-15-2006, 05:58 PM	#2
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,166	Hi Blennie, I have kept the Copperband for extended periods of time without any problems, however feeding is a problem commonly encountered. The key is to find one that is already accepting frozen food such as mysis shrimp. They have been known to nip at corals and clam mantles especially, but this is hit and miss. Typically as long as they are getting enough food, this isn't an issue. Some provide clams and muscles to the copperband which can be acquired at seafood sections of large grocery stores. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

11-15-2006, 06:57 PM	#3
SueT Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Houston,Tex. USA Posts: 544	I have had my copperband for going on 7 years. It was about the size of a quarter when I got it. Long story.,. Anyway, I feed this fish the Piscene Energetics brand of mysis shrimp. It is the very best for feeding. My copperband will nip clams and I only have 1 right now and it's like no big deal anymore. But I will not add another knowing this fish would nip at it. Mine does not bother my sps. __________________ 120g ecosystem sps/clam tank: http://berlinmethod.com/suet/

11-17-2006, 02:49 PM	#5
CSeaSee Mayor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 664	I think someone on here got three Pyramid Butterflyfish earlier this year- they are supposed to be completely reef safe. I'm not sure where the link is, but try doing a search. __________________ Carl Just tell your wife that having a tank teaches you all sorts of new DIY skills...which will save lots of money around the house...so you can buy more stuff for your tank...so you can learn more skills...

11-17-2006, 04:36 PM	#6
charlie Keeper of Willis Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 6,345	One of my friendliest and active fish. I have had him for about 2 years now. __________________ 400 Gallon Reef Log Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef

11-16-2006, 10:41 AM	#4
almostdiva Mayor Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 972	The smaller ones (around 2 or 3 inches) are TOUGH. I successfully kept a 4inch + one for quite awhile, then he started eating my shrimp, so I traded him in at the LFS. I've tried about 3 of the small ones since, none has made it longer than a month. Be prepared to possibly lose a smaller one. In my experience, a freshly opened clam is the BEST thing to get them to start eating.

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