New Copperband isn't really eating

fishaman · 02/02/2010, 08:53 PM

I just picked up a new Copperband over the weekend and he really isn't eating much. Occasionally, I would see him pick at the rocks but whenever I do my feedings of mysid shrimp, plankton or ROD's foods, he lets it float right by......Any thoughts? Should I try feeding him something different?

Eric the half-bee · 02/02/2010, 09:05 PM

Read the CBB primer as these are often difficult fish to maintain for any length of time.

bertoni · 02/02/2010, 09:08 PM

They often won't eat prepared foods, at least not very much of them. You could try some different varieties, or just wait until the fish gets hungrier.

stubby 58 · 02/02/2010, 09:20 PM

Had one only thing it would eat was live blackworms (not bloodworms as there is a difference) and it did graze on the rocks . This is one of those that should stay in the wild . It is a beautiful fish , but should stay in the ocean .

stubby

Ali :D · 02/02/2010, 09:52 PM

I had aiptasia and so I bought a CBB, he picked at the rocks for weeks every now and again but never ate. Always looked happy and one day i noticed he would eat mysis. Had him about 3 months and is doing great but eats little when feeding the tank. Not at all worried about him.

Boundless · 02/02/2010, 10:01 PM

I hope you find a favorite food that you can feed him while you introduce him to other food that is good for him.
Have you tried brine shrimp?

drew1 · 02/02/2010, 10:02 PM

mix up some mussel, shrimp, mysis and brine (or some close combination) in a food processor. smear it on some live rock rubble and throw it in the freezer. After it is frozen put it in the tank. Copperbands like to pick at the rocks and will eat off the rock as the mixure thaws. What he doesn't eat will be eaten by your cleaning crew. Copperbands like to pick so you need to get the food where he is looking. He'll eventually start eating when you feed the rest of the tank, but I think they still like to pick.

irfisher · 02/02/2010, 10:07 PM

I had one that loved conch.

02/02/2010, 08:53 PM	#1
fishaman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 163	New Copperband isn't really eating I just picked up a new Copperband over the weekend and he really isn't eating much. Occasionally, I would see him pick at the rocks but whenever I do my feedings of mysid shrimp, plankton or ROD's foods, he lets it float right by......Any thoughts? Should I try feeding him something different? __________________ (1) Foxface (2) Skunk Clowns (4) Osc Clowns (Nemo) (1) lawnmower blenny (1) Orange Goby (1) bullet goby (1) yellow tang (1) hippo tang (1) firefish (2) purple firefish (1) blue damsel (1) fireshrimp (4) peppermint shrimp (2) emerald crabs (1) engineer goby A few (10) pieces of corals (all frags) A host of snails and blue leg crabs If I had it my way, I would spend half my day fishing and the other half watching my fish! Fishaman Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon Saltwater

02/02/2010, 09:05 PM	#2
Eric the half-bee Passer of gasses Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Space Coast, FL Posts: 837	Read the CBB primer as these are often difficult fish to maintain for any length of time. __________________ MOLON LABE - King Leonidas I A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have. – Barry Goldwater Current Tank Info: Semi agressive reef-400 gal.-8 tangs,2 rabbit fish,zebra moray,blue ribbon eel,Janss' pipe,pair bangaiis,wrasse,tomato clown,maroon clown

02/02/2010, 09:08 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	They often won't eat prepared foods, at least not very much of them. You could try some different varieties, or just wait until the fish gets hungrier. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/02/2010, 10:01 PM	#6
Boundless Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Richardson,Texas Posts: 140	I hope you find a favorite food that you can feed him while you introduce him to other food that is good for him. Have you tried brine shrimp? __________________ The biggest tank you can have in life is in your dreams. = ) Current Tank Info: Planning Stage!

02/02/2010, 09:20 PM	#4
stubby 58 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ama TX Posts: 217	Had one only thing it would eat was live blackworms (not bloodworms as there is a difference) and it did graze on the rocks . This is one of those that should stay in the wild . It is a beautiful fish , but should stay in the ocean . stubby

02/02/2010, 09:52 PM	#5
Ali :D Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ellenton, FL Posts: 757	I had aiptasia and so I bought a CBB, he picked at the rocks for weeks every now and again but never ate. Always looked happy and one day i noticed he would eat mysis. Had him about 3 months and is doing great but eats little when feeding the tank. Not at all worried about him.

02/02/2010, 10:02 PM	#7
drew1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 189	mix up some mussel, shrimp, mysis and brine (or some close combination) in a food processor. smear it on some live rock rubble and throw it in the freezer. After it is frozen put it in the tank. Copperbands like to pick at the rocks and will eat off the rock as the mixure thaws. What he doesn't eat will be eaten by your cleaning crew. Copperbands like to pick so you need to get the food where he is looking. He'll eventually start eating when you feed the rest of the tank, but I think they still like to pick.

02/02/2010, 10:07 PM	#8
irfisher Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SE FL Posts: 69	I had one that loved conch.