Another BTA question

[mindi]

My anemone has been identified as a BTA and not a Magnifica on here...grateful for that. I have made most of the available mistakes, too early in tank life..? (3 months)
The BTA is doing the sorts of things described by others...shrinking and deflating tentacles, sometimes completely closing up, sometimes looking really good. Between closed and fully open and inflated he spends significant time looking very raggy and thin..?
He has found a place he likes and has not moved for a month, partly under a ledge...seems happy with flow and light there and hosts two Percula.
My water is pretty stable, but I am controlling algae with NOO-X and have Nitrates reading zero...Is this a source of stress for the anemone..? other parameters are stable although I have just had a slight drop in pH and Alk to 8.1 and 8.0dKH. Nitrites,NH3/4, Phosphates all zero. Ca 410 and Mg 1400, Temp 25(78). SG 1.023@25
Very grateful for some advice on any parameters which I need to review.

Is there something there that the BTA would not like ..? given stability is the theme in the previous answers..I get that.

 

[mindi]

Picture

Picture

This is it in fairly good shape right now...sometimes the tips inflate much more than this. Will add a pic of it looking distressed when I get one. From ID on this forum it is a bleached BTA not a white heteractis magnifica which is what the LFS sold it to me as.....have not been back to the LFS.
I feed it a small piece of raw shrimp twice a week and it takes it well....hoping to recover from bleaching.

 

[sjwitt]

Other than being bleached it looks pretty good. What lighting do you have?

Keep feeding it every few days and it'll color back up. Try a variety of foods too. I had good luck with dehydrated Krill, just rehydrate in tank water and break into small pea-sized pieces (if they're larger).

It's normal for them to deflate every once in a while, especially when they're new to the tank.

 

[mindi]

Thanks

Thanks

Will try the feeding change suggested. Lighting only modest..200W of mixed blue and white LED but he deliberately settled low and part covered so he doesnt seem to be seeking more light. Feeding twice a week...he spits it out when I offer more frequently. Will just keep on with that and maybe he will regain zoo and recover...

 

[Fishypapa]

i have a Red BTA that inflated completely when first introduced and now is only stringy arms. It's healthy and eating well, just not inflating. On the SAME rock, I also have a green BTA that ALWAYS inflated (even at night when the tank is dark).

As far as I can tell from what I've read and talking to others, it just happens and they inflate when they want. When mine were in an area they didn't like, they just moved.

As noted, yours does look a bit bleached but as long as it's eating it should be ok.

My params are:
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: <.05 (but now vodka dosing)
Phosphate: .08
SG: 1.025
Calcium: 430
Mag: 1350
Temp: 79F

 

[mindi]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for that Fishypapa. It has actually been looking a little better this week. What fascinating animals, He still eats twice a week. I have only just got my skimmer working well and it is ripping out evil gunk so he can only be pleased with that.

 

[sjwitt]

Sounds like you're doing all the right things. Keep up the good work ... good luck.

 

[Fishypapa]

My pleasure Mindi. I'm sure he'll be fine.
The skimmers are so nice. Haha when I first got my current one I couldn't believe the difference from my old airstone one. Never thought I'd be so happy to see the smelly brown goop!