Ornate Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ornatissimus) experience?

[Rtaylor]

I purchased 2 ornate butterflyfish a couple of weeks ago. I’m aware of their difficulties and have done a lot of research. I also currently have 6 orange spotted filefish doing great. I had planned to keep them separated while I made sure they transitioned to prepared foods, but had : people no-show on some fish I was rehoming and I had been planning to use that tank. So, they are in the DT. They aren’t being obviously bullied. I am working on trying to entice them to try prepared foods, but haven’t had much luck yet. I’ve tried:

fresh clams
Live black worms
Fresh hatched bbs
Masstick
Panta Rhei polyp & sponge
TDO Chromaboost
About 6 other types of pellets
Flakes
The following frozen:
Brine
Mysis
Formula 1
Formula 2
Cyclops
Blood worms
Emerald entree
Reef frenzy
Rotifers
A few other carnivore mix etc.
I also tried repashy

I do have a few frags they are picking at, and they haven’t gotten noticeably thinner. I’m continuing to try all the different options 4+ times per day (not all at once obviously). I have tried putting the food on coral skeletons at least every other day. Anyone have any experience or tips for these beauties? I’ll continue to get sps for them if I need to, but hoping for a breakthrough into prepared foods in the next few weeks.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

I would say, you’re doing the best you can under the circumstances. Is it your overall desire to have a non reef swim tank and keep these beauties?

 

[Rtaylor]

I would say, you’re doing the best you can under the circumstances. Is it your overall desire to have a non reef swim tank and keep these beauties?

I’m going to see how they do in my lps/softie reef. So far, I have had to remove a lobo and a trachy, so it seems meatier lps may not work with them. They so far haven’t bothered anything other than those and the little bit of sps in the tank.

 

[Snoopy 67]

Matt Pederson has an article in Coral Magazine on these coral eating Butterflies.
See if you can find it. He has had success with a different species.

 

[Rtaylor]

Matt Pederson has an article in Coral Magazine on these coral eating Butterflies.
See if you can find it. He has had success with a different species.

Yes I did read that, thanks!

 

[Avadakedavra]

Any updates? I’m also on the hunt for tiny juveniles as I was able to get them to feed years ago.