Fattening up a Copperband Butterfly

Georgephoenix · 11/21/2017, 05:50 PM

Hi! I’ve had my Copperband Butterfly for just under 3 months now and she is struggling to gain weight and has a pinched head. She has undergone quarantine and has always been a very slow feeder but slowly her appetite has got less and less, this is my second copperband and I had my first one for 5 years before she mysteriously died. I have given her live black worms which she eats however they are very difficult to source as I’m in the UK so an alternative would be good, but at the moment she eats mysis and bloodworms and I have tried PE mysis, brineshrimp (garlic and live), live mysis and cockles. Any advice to help fatten her up would be great!

Dmorty217 · 11/21/2017, 06:45 PM

I would soak the food she readily accepts in selcon, Zoe or vitachem or any combination of the three. Increase feedings until you see the fish start to fatten up. Fish I try to get to gain weight I will feed pretty much every time I walk past the tank

Georgephoenix · 11/22/2017, 04:00 PM

Good idea I’ll get some vitamins to add! She ate about 12-15 mysis today which is the most she’s eaten in a couple weeks! I’ve ordered some white and black mosquito larve to try as well! She gets fed about 5-6 times a day at the moment but it depends whether she actually eats during those feeds.

Dmorty217 · 11/22/2017, 04:56 PM

I would focus on feeding the food she actually eats more times during the day. Good luck

11/21/2017, 05:50 PM	#1
Georgephoenix Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 49	Fattening up a Copperband Butterfly Hi! I’ve had my Copperband Butterfly for just under 3 months now and she is struggling to gain weight and has a pinched head. She has undergone quarantine and has always been a very slow feeder but slowly her appetite has got less and less, this is my second copperband and I had my first one for 5 years before she mysteriously died. I have given her live black worms which she eats however they are very difficult to source as I’m in the UK so an alternative would be good, but at the moment she eats mysis and bloodworms and I have tried PE mysis, brineshrimp (garlic and live), live mysis and cockles. Any advice to help fatten her up would be great!

11/21/2017, 06:45 PM	#2
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	I would soak the food she readily accepts in selcon, Zoe or vitachem or any combination of the three. Increase feedings until you see the fish start to fatten up. Fish I try to get to gain weight I will feed pretty much every time I walk past the tank __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

11/22/2017, 04:56 PM	#4
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	I would focus on feeding the food she actually eats more times during the day. Good luck __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

11/22/2017, 04:00 PM	#3
Georgephoenix Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 49	Good idea I’ll get some vitamins to add! She ate about 12-15 mysis today which is the most she’s eaten in a couple weeks! I’ve ordered some white and black mosquito larve to try as well! She gets fed about 5-6 times a day at the moment but it depends whether she actually eats during those feeds.