Rose BTA problems?

[fawkes027]

I got a new rose BTA this weekend (so excited!) and it's having problems. It's hidden under rocks and deflated which isn't good I believe.

Here's my tank specs:

46 gal
2 x 250w 20K MH's
skimmer
assorted livestock

Now I already have 2 green BTA's in this tank that our flourishing. I'm just wondering why this one is having so much trouble. It was under T5 lighting in the LFS where I purchased it. Do you think this is shock from the change in lighting? I did notice that when the lights went out, the BTA improved. It inflated, got its bubbles back, etc.

what can I do?

[weimluv1]

well my guess would be lighting acclimation...


it's gonna take a while to go from T5 lighting to MH...

you could raise the lights 6"-9" and see if that helps it to come out...

[fawkes027]

The lights are raised 13" off the tank.

It looks better with the lights off. And for awhile tonight it looked better. Then *gasps* the clowns found it. I was horrified. It was horrified.

[weimluv1]

lol

well how big are the clowns in relation to the anemone?

if they appear to be dominating it, then i would suggest you find another means of keeping the anemone for now....they will uknowingly stress it if they are too big.

how about a pic?

[fawkes027]

The anemone is big enough to accomodate the clowns. However if they keep after it, I'll put something around the anemone to cut it some slack.

No pic yet. Will take one tommorrow though.

[ACIDRAIN]

BTAs don't nessecarily care for high lighting, in fact, they usually do better under PCs, or VHOs rather than the MHs. It may take severa days or weeks to acclimate comfortably. It may also just need to find its spot. The BTAs, don't like to attach to sand, but rather more hard surfaces. They also don't like the light to hit their foot. So it may just be looking for a completely dark spot to hook up to, and will hopefully open up then. In a MH tank, I have had several that actually attached upside down in a cave, and would open up and "swing" out the head just barely into the light. This has especially been my experience with the RBTAs.

[traveller7]

With BTA's under MH, PC's, and VHO's, my specimens in the same water grow consistently better under Metal Halides. Yes they need to be acclimated like any other polyp animal, but they do have the ability to move, and will.

I have had best success with anemone and clowns when the clown is less then is 3x diameter anemone's oral disk. If the clowns spend time in the other anemones as well, it gives the new one a break

I would suspect acclimation to lighting and possibly a change in pH, specific gravity, etc., in the move.

Good luck.

[ACIDRAIN]

I just read this article, and under the section "Species Specific Information" it states reports of what I stated above about mine liking the cave area.
The Breeders Registry

[fawkes027]

Well there are 2 other huge green BTA's the clowns frequent more. As for the rose - it is in fact hanging underneath a ledge in the shade. It does extend some of its tentacles out to get the light like acidrain reported. I haven't lost hope yet. While it still deflates quite a bit, its mouth is still tight and it looks in good shape. Hopefully it'll continue to improve. My water can't be that bad as the other BTA's are doing very well. Thanks for your imput everyone.

[hammerhead]

They like ledges, caves and crevasses to place there foot. Give it some time. Mine like the MH light as well as you can see by my Avatar.

[traveller7]

BTAs are definitely rock dwellers. The assumption that water is fine for a new specimen based on the existing specimens is not a safe one. Compared to the RBTA source water, the pH could be below 8, the specific gravity could be high or low, etc.

How long has the RBTA been in the tank and do you have any data on the variance in source and current tank water?

[fawkes027]

RBTA has been in my tank for 2 days now. I don't have information on the LFS tank parameters. It was its first day open and I honestly didn't think to ask. I didn't think there would be a problem. As far as my tank parameters

temp 80
ammo 0
nit 0
nitrate 10
ph 8.4

nothing in the vicinity that could be irritating it.

[traveller7]

IMHO it sounds as if it is in a standard adjustment period to lighting and water conditions. If it is still inflating/deflating frequently, keep the meals small and daily.

If the specific gravity is off from 1.025-1.026, then gradually adjust.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[fawkes027]

Well I figured I'd try a small piece of silverside tonight to see what would happen. It ate it right up and it was fast about it.

Heres a picture. Does it look alright?

[traveller7]

That is good news.

IMHO, it seems to have taken a bit of damage to the tentacles which is not unusual. Overall it appears fine in the picture and just in need of clean water, good lighting and proper feeding 3 to 4 times a week for the next 60 days or so.

Good luck.

[fawkes027]

I'm so glad to hear that. I can handle nursing it for a bit as long as I don't wake up one day and have had it expire on me. Thanks for your help!

[ACIDRAIN]

Yes I agree, it looks very nice. And if it is eating, all the better. Good luck and keep up updated.

[hammerhead]

After you nurse it back to health this is what you will get.

[fawkes027]

OMG! That would take up almost my whole tank. LOL It's beautiful. Do you find it to be too big or does that thought never cross your mind?

[traveller7]

Let's not scare folks now, most folks don't keep theirs as comfy as yours and they form a colony Oops did I let that slip

[hammerhead]

She can get as big as she wants to. It is fine by me she is a happy camper that's for sure. I have had her for 3 years she started at 3" and is now 20". I don't think she will get much bigger I have not seen any bigger then 24". in captivity.

[fawkes027]

That's just amazing. It's beautiful! Has it ever split?

[hammerhead]

No it's never split. probably won't knock on wood.