is my BTA dying?

DavidA717 · #1 12/20/2007, 02:05 PM

this is the first time i have seen it all shrivled up in weeks, and it looks like it is expelling a clear mucus-like substance. any thoughts?

if he is dying, should i take him out?

seapug · #2 12/20/2007, 02:14 PM

hard to say with limited info, but I wouldn't worry just yet. they periodically deflate like that. If it lasts for more than a day or two then starts dissolving then I'd remove it.

DavidA717 · #3 12/20/2007, 02:15 PM

here is what its looking like...

and here is the clear mucus its expelling

DavidA717 · #4 12/20/2007, 02:16 PM

i believe i fed him a silverside that was a little too big for him last night, and a buddy of mine told me that he was just expelling waste, but i wanted some more imput

nauticac4 · #5 12/20/2007, 02:24 PM

Test you water Dave. I think he will be fine mine has done it from time to time.

DavidA717 · #6 12/20/2007, 02:26 PM

Nitrate: 0-5
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0
salinity: roughly 1.025-1.026

DavidA717 · #7 12/20/2007, 02:28 PM

damnit, now its mouth is open.....

nauticac4 · #8 12/20/2007, 02:29 PM

Ride it out man. Keep an eye on it for a little while. Everything will be alright.

steri · #9 12/20/2007, 02:40 PM

It's pretty normal for anemones to do this from time to time. They expel their waste this way. I'd be willing to bet he's just pooping

Seriously, right now, I wouldn't worry about it. If after a week he doesn't open back up or something, I'd be worried then, but I am almost certain he is just expelling his waste.

NirvanaFan · #10 12/20/2007, 02:52 PM

Don't worry yet. If you fed him last night he's probably expelling waste. Mine does that the day after I feed him every time.

NYIntensity · #11 12/20/2007, 03:38 PM

Don't worry about it man, they can stay like that for long periods of time, worrying you sick if you think about it...mine did that the first time I fed it a silverside. It's just expelling waste. If it stays like that for a few days, or begins to actually reduce in size (or turn itself inside out) then you've got an issue.

plaereef · #12 12/20/2007, 03:47 PM

Steri is right, its just pooping. It will be back to normal in matter of time.

DavidA717 · #13 12/20/2007, 04:11 PM

haha thanks everyone, its already starting to look a little better now

NirvanaFan · #14 12/20/2007, 04:12 PM

everybody freaks out the first time they see it

plaereef · #15 12/20/2007, 07:56 PM

Someone told me that feeding the BTA in smaller amount helps keep the arms more extended, thus search for more food. Hope that helps.