Acclimating new butterflyfish - Suggestions needed

I have an established 125gal non reef tank (running 18 months with lots of live rock and good water quality... nitrates about 20ppm) that I'm now intoducing two butterfly fish to (one is a copperband & one is a heniochus butterfly).

I know these are hard fish to keep alive & feeding. Any advice you can give me on how to properly acclimate them & get them to eat would be appreciated! I only have 10 small green chromus, 1 med foxface, 2 small wrasses, 1 clown. It's a peaceful tank.

Thanks!

 

although I have never kept butterflies, i have heard that a very effective way to get them foraging is to make a thick paste out of the food you are giving them. Then you can smear the paste over the rocks and let them forage for the paste.

 

Thanks for the advice. How do i create such a paste? I have frozen krill, mysis, plankton, shrimp. I often mix some of those together in some water to feed but am not sure how i'd make a thick paste that could be applied to rocks.

THanks!

 

I would add in some plant material to what you have and stick it in a blender. That should give you a past and the algea/plant material will be good for them.

 

Any suggestions on what type of plant? I don't have any plants in my place so I'd have to go get something suitable.

Thank you for the suggestion!

 

I just got some formula 2, supposed to be good for angels. I used it today and was surprised it is already like a paste, maybe that wound work for you.

 

UNLESS MY FISH COME IN THE MAIL I ONLY TEMP ACCLIMATE THEM. NEVER LOST ANY THAT WAY. USE LIQUID GARLIC ON TH EFOOD TO ENHANCE THEIR EATING sorry bout the caps

 

I would try and get some nori or something like that, in a pinch some broccoli or romaine lettuce would do for a bit. If you try an asian grocery store they will have some sushi grade nori. Same stuff as the fish food stuff but much cheaper.
Best of luck with the new additions,
Jake

 

You can add a small bit of gelatin to your food: refer to oceanparadise1's homemade food for more details