Bleached RBTA Care

[BuckeyeTodd]

The RBTA was bought bleached, here is image of it on purchase

http://s761.photobucket.com/albums/xx251/mentzeam/?action=view&current=005.jpg&newest=1

Tank is 180 barebottom
6 bulb ATI t5
Sal 1.026
Cal 460
Mag 1440
po4 0
nitrate approx 5

I've had it for three to four weeks now. I was advised to let it be, and thats what I've done. I fed it for second time today. The rbta is still looking poor in color though tentacles have gained in length.

So my question is that I've got a GBTA that has split, so there are these three nems and they are all staying in same area. it appears that they are fighting for position. During the photoperiod they all rise from behind the rock they live on at different times, with GBTA usually gaining top position and getting the most light(the rbta comes up when the first two bulbs come on and stays for about two hours before either retreating or being overtaken).

So I want to let the nems find there own way and not to interfere, but am wondering if it is in their best interest for me to move one of them? Are there any other best practices to help the nem?

 

[NoBigDeal]

It's hard to say "let nature take it's course" when you are confining these animals in a glass box. Ultimately this is up to you but if you were to hypothetically move an anemone move the RBTA to a more "secluded" area. Keep up with the feedings.

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

Is there anything to letting them find the conditions it likes? It is bleached, so maybe an hour or two of light is all it wants. I'm afraid I'll move it to the other side and it will do the same thing, and I'll have stressed it for no reason. Any advice?

 

[Ethan_W]

imo move it to the other side. and why did u buy a bleached nem?

 

[sophos9]

Let it find its own position, any additional stress or movement will result in additional expended energy that would be best used in recovery.

Start to feed very small pieces of shrimp, squid, fish etc every 2 days - watch for regurgitation, the ejected 'bolus' should contain little of the original food source - if you see lumps being rejected, downsize the portion.

With the ejection of zoox, the primary system for producing oxygen, amino acids and sugars is gone - ensure very good oxygenation for the period until zoox starts to re-establish symbiosis.

What temperature are you running your aquarium? Its important to note the correlation between temperature and metabolic rate and thus the importance of metabolic rate on nutritional consumption. Nutrition is the basis for recovery or mortality ...