Copperband Butterfly

rattyE36

rattyE36

New member
Rant time!

So I really want a Copperband Butterfly for my 90G mixed reef and I've been told as well as read that they are a 50/50 gamble when keeping in a reef tank. Upon further investigation people said they they should play nice in a reef tank if they are eating well and you can target feed them to insure that they do not get hungry and go after others in your tank.

After reading that I was stoked and figured I would get one and see how it goes but then upon FURTHER research I read that they will with out a doubt go after any and all of the following in a tank regardless of how full they are: feather dusters, shrimps, and anemones.

I like my feather duster and have 4 awesome shrimp in my tank and plan to buy a neon RBTA very soon for my clowns so it sounds like I'm just going to have to rule out a copperband butterfly and get over it. :(

As a compromise and an alternative I think I'm going to fill his spot in my tank with a sailfin tang because they are guaranteed reef safe and are also very extravagant and cool looking.

I would have liked to have a copperband butterfly but I'm thinking I'll get the sailfin instead to accompany my blue hippo tang, and thompson tang! (That is of course unless MCF manages to source me a tiny blonde naso tang, which is pretty much my dream fish for my reef but is not a very easy find.)


Not really sure why I wrote all this.....just wanted to share my process and frustration with you all! (Also a good example of the decision making process that more people should be using rather than impulse buying a fish at the LFS and then highly regretting it later on.)
 
I would go against the Sailfin as well. Not because it's not reef safe but because they get huge! Alot of people underestimate how big they can get and later have regrets. They get over a foot in diameter and are recommended for double your size tank. I debated both of the fish you mentioned for my 90 as well but did not pull on either. The Copperband will eventually go bad on you although there's people who still have luck with them. The Sailfin will outgrow a 90 no doubt in my mind. I would look for something more adequate for your tank. I know it's a bummer but better sooner than later be told.
 
Copperband didn't touch my shrimp or RBTA, it did DECIMATE the feather duster population in under 24 hours though. It also started nipping at clams after a few weeks.
 
Already having a blue hippo and Thompson, I'd skip on anymore tangs at all of those 2 are getting along. You are asking for trouble adding another to your tank. As far as the copperband, FAR TOO MANY die for malnourishment in captivity and it's really a fish I personally feel is best left in the ocean. Best of luck to you if you try but they are just so docile and finnicky, the blue tang may just pick on it, it will shut down and not eat at all and wither away in a matter of days.
 
The last copperband I got, my tangs picked on it, which caused it to not eat and die. it's difficult to introduce such a fragile fish when you already have more agressive fishes (tangs) in your aquarium. 3 tangs in a 90 might cause alot of stress and fighting b/w them, good luck.
 
rattyE36 said:
As a compromise and an alternative I think I'm going to fill his spot in my tank with a sailfin tang because they are guaranteed reef safe and are also very extravagant and cool looking.
Click to expand...

Um... not always.

Coladdict (Nino) now has my wifes open brain coral since our sail fin found it tasty.

If my wife had her way, the tang would be sushi.

Not encouraging you to get a copperbanded as I think they should not be held in captivity considering their current survival rates, but just pointing out that generally sailfins are reef safe, but not always.
 
ColaAddict said:
The last copperband I got, my tangs picked on it, which caused it to not eat and die. it's difficult to introduce such a fragile fish when you already have more agressive fishes (tangs) in your aquarium. 3 tangs in a 90 might cause alot of stress and fighting b/w them, good luck.
Click to expand...

Yup- had the same problem. Added a CB and my black and white clown picked on it so badly that it almost killed it. I ended up giving him to my neighbor.
 
I have seen that most tangs will nip on corals once they hit a very large size. I'm not sure why but every time I see a large sailfin in a reef tank everyone is trying to sell it because they nip on corals however smaller tangs don't have as high of a tendency to nip until they get larger. That's what I have noticed isn't fully proven. Also I have a copperband in my fowlr. He destroyed my feather duster population also. But he is eating frozen music brine and some krill pieces. I also had some zoanthids that he took a liking to. I wanted to see if I could put some soft corals in my fowlr, but he made it clear he was going to eat all zoanthids. And my naso nibbled on a zoanthid or 2 himself. Not sure if this helps anyone but thought I would share my experiences. Have a good one.
 
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