Aptasia are gone !!!

[LongShot]

OK, so my tank isn't over-run with the nasty beasties, but what was just one dime-sized one three months ago has become one nickel sized parent with about half a dozen off-spring scattered around in places I'd rather they wouldn't be. I've tried manual removal (big mistake) and the old inject-'em-with-kalk drill with no joy mostly because I'm a klutz with bad eye sight.

When I noticed one of these pests dangerously close to my prized favia, I knew I had to do something. So, I headed down to the LFS and brought home a Copper Band B'fly. This I did with fear and trepidation because I know b'flies are notoriously finicky eaters and that it was a 50-50 shot it'd be an aptasia muncher. Still, he looked healthy in the store (I knew he'd been there about a week) and at least showed some interest in the flake he was offered there. So I broke my "if it doesn't eat, it doesn't come home rule" out of pure desperation.

Well, he just cowered in one corner of the tank for 4 straight days, and didn't even pay any attention to the frozen mysis I offered on the 3rd day. I thought oh boy, now you've done it - brought home an animal you can't care for. I hate that. I mean I really HATE when I don't have the sense to leave alone critters I'm not sure I can give a good home . It happened more times than I'd care to admit when I first got into this hobby, but I learned my lesson(s) before too many creatures were sacrificed to my ignorance. Anyway, by day 4, I was pretty sure I'd blown it.

Then, when I came home from work today, my wife greets me with this big grin and asks, "You did get that fish to eat those little anemone thingies, didn't you... ?" Not quite comprehending her sense of ironic humor, I walked over to the tank just in time to see Mr. CBB scarf down the last pieces of the big aptasia I couldn't believe my eyes!! He was swimming around the tank like he owned the place, poking his nose into every nook and cranny obviously looking for more, and in the course of watching him, it became clear he'd clean out every single aptasia I have, err... had. It's almost like someone put a different fish in my tank. His whole demeaner has changed, seemingly over night. Needless to say, I'm one happy camper.

Now, my only concern is getting this guy to eat "regular" food. I know mysis is what's recommended to get reluctant eaters started, but is there anything else I could try should that fail? Is the fact that he has chowed down on the aptasia a good sign?

I'd really like to keep this guy around. He's a beautiful fish, and he's not bothered any of my corals or other critters. Besides, I'd like to have the opportunity to reward him for ridding my tank of a nasty pest

Regards,
Bert

[squid]

Congrats....Copperbanded butterflies are so pretty. Some people have had really good luck keeping them in a reef tank.

What else to try to feed him...bloodworms....bloodworms....bloodworms
Our's always like those tasty little morsels

[R1Bill]

pictures? can i borrow him

[LongShot]

Thanks Lise!!

I'll give the bloodworms a try. My wife, Judy, has some in the freezer for her African Cichlids, and they go nuts over 'em. I wouldn't have thought to try them for the Copper Band.

Regards,
Bert

[CAT]

Another suggestion if the mysis and bloodworms don't work-- Raw, grocery store mussels on the half-shell. Messy but might tempt the little guy- you'd have to remove what wasn't eaten the same day though, unless you have a pretty big, well-established tank.

Good luck

[LongShot]

Cat,

Would I need to cut them up or anything. or would a slightly less than half-dollar sized CBB be able to "dissect" a mussel on his own? Just wondering how he'd pull something as large as a mussel apart with that skinny little "beak".

Messy doesn't bother me too much after 28+ years in E.R.'s and trauma units and I can handle the clean up afterward without problems.

Regards,
Bert

[LongShot]

Bill,

I'll get pix if I can get home while the lights are still on.

Don't know about borrowing him, but if he ever really needs to fatten up, I know where to bring him

Regards,
Bert

[LongShot]

Well folks, Mr Copper Band is eating with gusto He was pretty timid at first, but once he got a taste of those blood worms Lise suggested, he threw all caution to the winds and started chasing pieces around the tank like everybody else. He even stole one morsel right out of the mouth of the same Cole Tang who'd given him such a hard time when he first arrived.

I am very, very relieved. I know it'll be a bit longer before I know for sure if he's a "keeper", but at least the first major hurdle has been successfully negotiated. And I'm also extremely thankful for all your suggestions about getting him started down the right path. Lise, your blood worms did the trick

It's also great to be aptasia free...

Thanks,
Bert

[LongShot]

Well, Mr. Copper Band is now taking mysis with the same enthusiasm he showed for the bloodworm. It'll be interesting to see what he does with my usual blender mush and/or flake.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he'll be a "keeper". He's really got quite the personality.

Bert

[squid]

If you give him small pieces that he can get in his mouth, he should be fine. They don't have a very easy time with the chunk food, that's why we used the blood worms, kinda like watching a kid eat pasta.

I'm glad it worked for you!!!!! keep us updated, ok?