copperband butterfly?

ive been trying to find out about copperband butterflies and most info says that they are the most reef safe (not completely). i was recently thinking about getting one but with plans on future corals. probably start getting them soon. do you think it would be ok or should i just nix it all together? id like any personal opinions or would like to know if anybody has done it.

 

Karla,

Those are beautiful fish.

I had a Raccoon butterfly once, but never a Copperband. BUT, my Kole did kill my Raccoon. I know you have a Kole so I wanted to let you know. They were in a smaller tank than yours - a 40 breeder (I was in college and didn't know better!) and, more importantly they were the same size. I think that had something to do with it.

Anyway, I am sure you have done your own research, but I wanted to share what I found in case it is different.

One source:

Another source:

Sources:
http://www.reefcorner.com/Manual/specimens_to_avoid.htm

http://members.tripod.com/mark26/copperband.html

I hope this helps, but I totally agree with you about hearing from someone that actually has one.

So I hope someone speaks up! ;D

 

Here is a link for the copperband butterfly.


http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=212

 

Hey all,

I've never tried a copperband in a reef tank, though I have kept a few in FOWLR tanks. My experience has been that they are peaceful fish, with great personalities. They do eat aiptasia with a vengance (at least mine have), but I've never kept them around any corals to I can't personally attest to their being coral-safe or not. They are very nice fish, though. [smiley=thumbs_up1.gif]

The MOST reef-safe butterfly, I believe, is the Chaetodon sedentarius. Here's a pic from Fish Base:


Mostly known as the Reef Butterflyfish, the diet of these fish consists of, "Prefers to feed on eggs of Abudefduf saxatilis (Ref. 9626) but also on polychaete worms, shrimps, amphipods and hydroids." also from FishBase.

Here's the link for more info:http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?id=3605

 

thnx for the link on the butterfly i do love the butterflyies if i dont get one for my reef tank ive been thinkin of other ideas for another tank maby fo or someting like that if i do a butterfly is one i want

 

I recently tried keeping a copperband in my reef tank and it didnt turn out so well, He killed one clam and ate my xenia's with a vengence. Unless you have hourglass anenomes I would advise against it cause they are a pain to get out of your tank when you do find out they are eating your corals.

 

Good to know johnny...
Welcome to 3reef!

[flash=468,60]http://www.3reef.com/fish/sitepics/threesteps3.swf[/flash]

 

YAh, I had the same problem with the chelmon (copperband). Once my aptasia was wiped out, he started in on my LPS (they love those) and mushrooms. He sstayed away from my open brain for some reason and he also stayed away from both types of my xenia.