+Lamont Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I was looking into ways to get rid of aptasia and found that the Copperband Butterflyfish does a pretty good job of it. I have two peppermint shrimp and they dont even look at aptasia. They eat when the fish eat, grabbing brine shrimp as it floats by. I have read lots of posts with people that have had success with the Copperband Butterfly Fish. I know they are not completely reef safe but I hate aptasia.(dosing is not an option) Most of the forums I've read said that their Copperband didn't mess with their corals or inverts. So if anyone has a copperband please give me a little insight on your situation. Thanks! (PS I have SPS, LPS, Zoas etc..) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cMidd Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Problem is if they eat the aptaisia they may like to eat other things similar to aptasia...nems maybe xenthia and similar looking things. If you have luck with one let us know-I have the same problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckylou Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Never had a problem with mine eating any sps,lps,or softies. and they did clear my tank of aptasia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 These are another fish that falls into to "there are no guarantees" category. That is a copperband isn't guaranteed to eat aptasia. Some will, some won't. I'd be more concerned about getting one to eat anything. The copperband has a track record of mediocre survivability in saltwater tanks. Some will eat great from the start, but most won't. If you do get one, buy one that is already eating. And make sure you see it eat in person Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Rangoon Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 These are another fish that falls into to "there are no guarantees" category. If you do get one, buy one that is already eating. And make sure you see it eat in person Keep this in mind for ALL Angelfish & Butterflyfish. It'll lead to less money lost, and less heartbreak! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Keep this in mind for ALL Angelfish & Butterflyfish. It'll lead to less money lost, and less heartbreak! And less fish being pulled from the ocean that are only going to die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Lamont Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 These are another fish that falls into to "there are no guarantees" category. That is a copperband isn't guaranteed to eat aptasia. Some will, some won't. I'd be more concerned about getting one to eat anything. The copperband has a track record of mediocre survivability in saltwater tanks. Some will eat great from the start, but most won't. If you do get one, buy one that is already eating. And make sure you see it eat in person I will keep this in mind. Its funny though that all the stores that sale this fish keeps selling out. Thats why I assumed that reefers were having success. I will checked to see if they are eating prepared food too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Lamont Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Never had a problem with mine eating any sps,lps,or softies. and they did clear my tank of aptasia. Lucky, how big was your fish when you first got it and were did u get it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Lamont Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Problem is if they eat the aptaisia they may like to eat other things similar to aptasia...nems maybe xenthia and similar looking things. If you have luck with one let us know-I have the same problem. I dont have any anemones or xenthia. Just frogspawn,zoas, lobos, Duncans and sps. I may have to watch out for my duncans if i get the fish though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckylou Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 you will have a better success rate with Australian copperbands look into those they cost more but tend to be hardier and eat apstasia more often then copperbands from other areas. Mine where bought in a group buy from a sponsor of our local club, (not ARC). Like Marc said these guys are hit and miss they tend to not live long in aquariums because they end up starving, they are best kept with other slow moving eaters so they have a chance to eat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckylou Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 one is 3" and the other is 5". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I will keep this in mind. Its funny though that all the stores that sale this fish keeps selling out. Thats why I assumed that reefers were having success. I will checked to see if they are eating prepared food too. They sell out b/c they are VERY popular fish. It has nothing to do with success of the keeping the fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medi Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I've known very few people who could keep one successfully. Unfortunately, they are a very frail fish. Might check into trying to find some peppermint shrimp that came directly from the gulf. Everyone I have ever had has gone straight after aiptasia, and I've been told of similar success from other reefers. Like wise I've never had a peppermint shrimp from a LFS that would touch aiptasia. Plus, their fun to catch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demodiki Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 My butterfly decimated my aiptasia then took to my rics before starving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Lamont Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 I may just get more peppermint shrimp then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I had a copperband butterfly that did really well in my tank. He ate my aptasia and was feeding on mysid. I ended up selling him because he was not getting along with my angels. He was also eating yellow polyps, but those do look very similar to aptasia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneroller Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 You can't trust any fish (or invert for that matter) that will eat aiptasia. By that I mean, their is a great risk that once the aiptasia are gone that they will go for your meaty corals - acans, polyps, lobos, scolies - and you will be cursing yourself for having to pull your rocks to catch the little .... no angels, no butterflys, that's my rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acropoorer Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 I have always kept a copperband and have 0 aptasia (at least visible). That said, my first one died after 4 years and my new one picks at acans. I also had suspected him of killing my clams, but never witnessed him doing so. Beautiful fish, and if you feed well there is less chance of nipping. I am thinking of getting rid of this one (want to get some clams in the future), but if I develop an aptasia problem I will get another. In my opinion there is no better control for aptasia and the darn things are always lurking somewhere in the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.