Seems butterfly fishes are all pretty much not reef sage with the exception of perhaps the copperband. Are butterflys similar to angels in that they may or may not be reef safe or are they pretty much all not reef safe? I am looking for my last fish to round out my tank and thought maybe one of the smaller butterflys would work for me, but I don't want to damage my corals! Any experience?

Everything I have read says that the Copperband is safe with caution.  I guess it is kinda the same with the angels.  I've wanted one since I started my tank and have yet to get one.  They are amazing fish.  I know that Marc Levenson has a copperband in his reef tank and hasn't had any problems with it. I'm like you though I would hate to see my corals damaged.  Though on bit I can tell you is John at BRK as one in his coral display tank and hasn't had any trouble with it.

Not just nipping on the corals but having to take the tank apart should you have to remove it. I`ve had to do that when some angels started messing up. Now if there is any question I dont even think it because I dont want to have to do that again. Just something to think about.

Yeah, good points guys. I just like them so much! haha. I'll have to find something else to sate me.

Well like I said...John has a copperband in his coral display tank...not just the "store tank" but the tank he sells the coral out of. so I don't know....

I`ve seen mine with them in there also but mine says that he has them in there for the aiptisia and keeps a close eye out for him just in case.

my copperband has never posed a problem in my reef. I have never seen him nip a coral, anemone (other then aptasia) or really bother anything. All in all he is a very model citizen.

The bigger problem with Copperbands is getting them to eat. It took me several years to finally come across a CB that was eating well in a fish shop. When I got mine home I qt'd him with my seahorses so he had very little competition.

All in all he is one of my favorite fish.

I really want one bad.  I just haven't done it mainly because of the feeding issue but also I don't want my corals damaged.

Thanks for the thoughts, guys. I'm still debating on what to do... I asked Scott if he would take one off my hands should I get it and it eat my corals, and he said he would. So now I need to decide on which species is best for my tank, and then find one in a store! My LFS had a pearlscale 2 weeks ago when I was in there. Dunno if it will still be there, it doesn't get too much traffic.

I am thinking of getting a Copperband Butterflyfish for my 125.  I have aiptasia way out of control and am hoping this might be a decent way to keep him fed.  I have too many to even attempt.  I have used Joe's Juice but there are just too many.  They are growing on the glass and even the sand.  I know there is no guarantee they will eat them but I need some definite help.

Have you tried any pepermint shrimp in the tank to help out?  I put 3 in my tank when I started seeing aptasia and with in a few weeks it was gone with the the exception of one large one that I removed myself.

Yeah, I was going to add them as well.  Just waiting for the LFS to get them.