Butterflyfish not eating... food ideas?

[glarior]

Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)

So far does not appear to eat myosin, brine, squid or green marine algae. What else can I try. 75g coral setup. All the other fish are doing great but I was warned this one may not eat. Had the fish for 1-2 weeks. Suggestions?

[hobogato]

try some of the live black mussels they sell at heb. open the shell slightly and drop em in.

[aquasport24]

Was it eating before at the LFS? Were you warn by the LFS or someone else?

[Bill S]

1) These fish really should be kept alone until eating well on their own. Do you have a fuge you can put it in?

2) As Ace said, you can try mussels.

3) Get some PE Mysis. As I recall, Gabe has them. CBB seem to like this particular kind of Mysis.

[glarior]

Yes, the fish was eating at the LFS but they only had it for a few days. When I was talking with the LFS they told me if the fish does not eat to try different foods. I figured I had 3-4 different kinds so I would be okay.

I will try HEB today for some live musseles. I can also try the PE mysis.

bstreep: By the word "fuge" do you mean my refugium?

[wkada]

+1 on PE mysis. They have it at aquarium designs too

[Big_Pun]

Yes, the fish was eating at the LFS but they only had it for a few days. When I was talking with the LFS they told me if the fish does not eat to try different foods. I figured I had 3-4 different kinds so I would be okay.

I will try HEB today for some live musseles. I can also try the PE mysis.

bstreep: By the word "fuge" do you mean my refugium?

yup your refugium if you have the room for it, also copperbands are very finicky eaters i had one for 4-5 months then it stop eating and i didnt catch it in time. mussles seem to be the best thing or fresh water clams

[StevenSeas]

Also food rocks like selcon, garlic extreme(basically garlic guard plus vit. C), and kent zoe or zoecon can be helpful as well to make it more entising. Yes fuge is refugium that could serve as a refuge for your stressed butterfly.

[bimmerzs]

I have had 3 of these over the years and PE mysis worked on them all, totally agree with that recomendation.

[justahobby]

Between Zoe and Zoecon, I would choose Zoecon. Zoe is spirulina based whereas copperbands are carnivores.

[StevenSeas]

^^^^ good point I couldnt remember which was which lol. I know everytime I put straight zoecon in my tank for my corals my clowns immediately go after it then realize its too small for them and that their larger pieces of food will be coming shortly

[StevenSeas]

any updates?

[Teeb]

I second the PE mysis, I've had some picky eater and they generally warm up to the PE.

[justahobby]

I only knew because I used zoecon on nori when I had a tang and selcon for the seahorse. I haven't used zoe, but if its anything like selcon it will be good. Selcon looks greasy and fatty :D

[glarior]

What great information! I bought live black mussles and the copperhead appeared to go for it. I put it in the tank and within 5 minutes the fish found it and started pecking at it. I am still going to buy some PE mysis to see if that works too. Thank for the information and I will post back to with an update.

[Randy@pollyspets]

I third the PE mysis. We've had a lot of success with it for finicky eaters. I know of some of our customers that use it for their seahorses and they love it! Our copperbands usually eat the H2O life brand Spirulina Brine/Mysis mix. Well, at least the brine/ mysis/ pink shrimp parts of the food. sometimes we have to sweeten the deal with Garlic!Good luck on the copperband. :)

-Randy

[timmytimtim]

My copperband goes after mysis and blood worms.

[glarior]

I lost the fish yesterday :-(

I tried everything that was mentioned and it seemed to eat but was hard to tell. For future searches on the forum I think the best item I bought was the mussels

[Paraletho]

I see someone finally mentioned bloodworms. That is what I started mine on after he decimated all the aptasia and small dusters. Leave the flow going and when the bloodworms move past him he will chase them. It will keep him going until he gets accustomed to his tankmates and the idea that when everyone gathers at the top good things are going to happen. Oh sorry just read. Sorry for your loss sometimes it just doesn't happen.

[Still Learning]

I was gonna suggestion aptasia....sorry to hear you lost him.