Reefs.org Forums

[Dawn]

Just put in tank yesterday- he seemed to try to move out of the light, and receded somewhat. This morning he looked more out- though only one third the size at the lfs. I put cyclopeeze and flake food in the tank, he receded into a crevace, balled up, and some "stringy stuff"is coming out. What's going on?

[ANEMONEBUFF]

You just got the anemone so it will take time for it to acclimate to it's new water conditions. Anemones need not be feed right away, especially when adjusting to new conditions. The brown stuff is waste and may even be expelling zooanthallae, which is common when stressed. Give her time and let her find her spot.

[Dawn]

He's out today- but still only 1/3 of the size it was- doesn't seem to like strong light. The AI LED lights are 9"above tank at 55% power, the anenome is about 10" down in the tank. I guess he balls up when he eats?

[ANEMONEBUFF]

It could be part of the acclimation or the feeding. I bet that you AI blows the lighting out of the water that the anemone was housed under before(even at 55%). Let her get used to the conditions and do not attempt to move her, as that will cause more stress.

[Dawn]

How long do you think acclimation will take? Are we talking days, weeks??

[Lawdawg]

There isn't a definitive answer here, it's entirely up to the anemone

[_Andy]

You may end up with two - I had a couple different ones that would divide every time I changed their tanks.

[Frank A.]

Did you QT her? There are some great sites on how to care for Anemones. (Google)

[Dawn]

The RBT is out a lot more today- i think it balls up when it eats- is that correct? i looked up care before purchasing- and was surprised when it hid from the light- after reading it liked bright light!

[leftovers]

Did you QT her? There are some great sites on how to care for Anemones. (Google)

Its an anemone, there is really no need to QT it and usually QT tanks have residual medicines that could potentially kill the animal.

[ANEMONEBUFF]

The RBT is out a lot more today- i think it balls up when it eats- is that correct? i looked up care before purchasing- and was surprised when it hid from the light- after reading it liked bright light!

they usually ball up a little when fed larger foods just to force it into their mouth.

They do prefer bright light, but your specimen was probably housed under weaker lighting before your purchass and will nedd time to adjust.

When I kept BTAs I fed them shrimp and silversides directly about once a week. I fed them more frequently and it would cause them to split more often. As much as I loved them, it became annoying having to remove rocks and sell them to the LFS.

Good luck

[Dawn]

Dan, thank you for your response. i fed her this morning a small piece of raw shrimp (the same i feed my red serpent star) she took it in instantly- not balling up. My skunk cleaner shrimp tried to get it right away. i chased him away, and when he returned i tried to get a small poiece to him, but it fell into the BTA and instantly disappeared- way cool. however, a couple of minutes later, the shrimp dug a small bit out of the BTA. I will only feed once a week- but worry about the shrimp causing harm! The BTA recedes and expands at various times. Most of the time spent out.

[ANEMONEBUFF]

As long as there is sufficient lighting, which you have, BTAs will do fine without regular direct feeding. Shrimps can be a problem, they do on occasion cause damage trying to get food out of anemones. It is something you should keep an eye on.

[Snailman]

I used to 30-40 rose anemones until I got rid of my nitrates.