A Pacifist RBTA?

[Ycore]

So, I've had this beautiful RBTA for a few months that was happily attached to an isolated rock in the sand well away from my main rock structure adorned with various SPS/LPS. This morning I woke up only to find that not only had the RBTA fled his rock, but he managed to make it up to the TOP of my rock structure where he was happily nesting between two nice SPS. His tentacles were solidly brushing against the SPS and their polyps were retracted (obviously). I managed to coax the anenome into moving with the aid of a maxi-jet, but I thought for sure my SPS were toast. However, when all was said and done, the SPS weren't damaged at all. No sign of tissue damage and no sliming. Their polyps came out again once the anenome had moved on.

It was my understanding that anenomes will toast anything in their path? Is this then not the case?

 

[Meggie2409]

LOL my LTA actually pets my corals around it... maybe its trying to see if it will taste good hahaha but also pets my regal tang so go figure lol. They are some interesting animals

 

[bues0022]

First thing, your BTA moved for a reason. Try to figure out the cause behind it so this wandering doesn't end up with a chopped up anemone, or dead. I've posted the same thing several times (Food, Flow, Foot, Water Chemistry, and Lighting). One or more is off.

An anemone stinging corals doesn't automatically lead to immediate death of the coral tissue. Some corals are more sensitive than others, and some anemones (even within the species) have more potent nematocytes than others. With prolonged exposure, coral death is likely though.

One of the biggest mistakes aquarists have is assigning human qualities to the animals in our fish tanks. While it may appear that your LTA is "petting" your corals, its tentacles are simply responding to the water quality and flow conditions and happen to brush against your corals. Some corals can withstand the sting, others can't. Time will tell if your corals will live or die. Also, it is not petting your regal tang. Again, the anemone is simply responding to the water and flow conditions and your tang happens to be swimming in the area. While it is unique that the tang doesn't swim rapidly away after being brushed by the anemone, I wouldn't call it petting.

Sorry to go OT, but Meggie2409 - what are your other specs of your tank? age? lighting? etc? It seems like your LTA has very weak nematocytes, and could be a sign of poor nem health.

 

[Ycore]

Well, I can only assume it moved because it wanted more light, as it literally moved to the absolute highest point on my rockwork. Odd though, as it has been happy for months down on the bottom, and I use LED lights so it's not as if the light got weaker over time like traditional bulbs.

In any case, it seems very happy in its current spot, which is also right near the top but has a nice cave it stuck its foot into.

The SPS he waded through are actually perfectly ok, not a sign of a sting or tissue necrosis. A guy at my LFS (who actually knows what he's talking about most of the time), says that most corals only sting other corals when they sense opposing stingers, and this is why you can have LPS sitting in the middle of a bunch of Zoa's and they don't get stung. Any truth to this?

 

[Meggie2409]

First thing, your BTA moved for a reason. Try to figure out the cause behind it so this wandering doesn't end up with a chopped up anemone, or dead. I've posted the same thing several times (Food, Flow, Foot, Water Chemistry, and Lighting). One or more is off.

An anemone stinging corals doesn't automatically lead to immediate death of the coral tissue. Some corals are more sensitive than others, and some anemones (even within the species) have more potent nematocytes than others. With prolonged exposure, coral death is likely though.

One of the biggest mistakes aquarists have is assigning human qualities to the animals in our fish tanks. While it may appear that your LTA is "petting" your corals, its tentacles are simply responding to the water quality and flow conditions and happen to brush against your corals. Some corals can withstand the sting, others can't. Time will tell if your corals will live or die. Also, it is not petting your regal tang. Again, the anemone is simply responding to the water and flow conditions and your tang happens to be swimming in the area. While it is unique that the tang doesn't swim rapidly away after being brushed by the anemone, I wouldn't call it petting.

Sorry to go OT, but Meggie2409 - what are your other specs of your tank? age? lighting? etc? It seems like your LTA has very weak nematocytes, and could be a sign of poor nem health.

Lol well I wld like to first say that I was using the petting term loosely... I am not thinking it is actually thinking to pet the corals or fish I was simply referring that it seems to sense the corals and that my corals do not mind it nor do they retract. They are tho gsp and a mushroom... As for the tang it is as if my anemone is tolerating the tang in its area prob due to the fact the tang is a pig and drops food into the nem.

As for my tank specs it is over 9mths old working on 10... I run 2 150w MH and 2 super actinic vho's. all other info is in my signature. I do not have direct flow due to the fact that LTA's do not like flow. I will say this my anemone is very healthy approx 12-13in across very dark tan and does and packs a nasty sting from experience... here are some pics of it so you can be the judge...

<img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs651.snc4/61096_1352495342390_1531590066_30785780_6209866_n.jpg">


Upclose on tents

<img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs292.snc3/28241_1283740223555_1531590066_30624071_1283739_n.jpg">