Blue LTA -

I had 2 of these guys, the first was one of 3 that curled up and died after feeding silversides, and all 3 did the same thing, eat, turn inside out, released, and then melted next morning.
I took on the "phantom blue"(made up name by LFS) that echo posted on here w/ some hesitation.
It was pretty bleached, more than pics posted on here, but I was up for the challenge of bringing it back.
That didn't happen.
I see alot of these really bright LTA's lately, but I just don't see any that hold that color long term, seems like they all pretty much turn beige w/ color highlights.
That green LTA posted earlier was brightest I've seen long term, and my green LTA did keep pretty good green highlights, but still mostly beige color base.
I'm not sure what to think of these super bright LTA's that seem to be popping up these days.
I now have a purple malu for about 4 months now, super healthy, 3-4x original size now, and even more purple.
 
I almost bought a blue LTA from my LFS, but didn't thinking it looked bleached. Turns out it looks just like everyone else's. Kinda whish i bought it now. Maybe later........(evil laugh)

Definitely a newbie (which i am not) question, but what're the points of identification in a LTA versus a BTA? Everyday i dance around whether i've got a doreensis or a quadricolor. I picked it up cheap from a local reefer, sold as a bubble.
 
a-T-m said:
I almost bought a blue LTA from my LFS, but didn't thinking it looked bleached. Turns out it looks just like everyone else's. Kinda whish i bought it now. Maybe later........(evil laugh)

Definitely a newbie (which i am not) question, but what're the points of identification in a LTA versus a BTA? Everyday i dance around whether i've got a doreensis or a quadricolor. I picked it up cheap from a local reefer, sold as a bubble.
Click to expand...

The biggest thing would probly be that bubble tips like the rocks and long tentacles are sand dwellers.
 
a-T-m said:
I almost bought a blue LTA from my LFS, but didn't thinking it looked bleached. Turns out it looks just like everyone else's. Kinda whish i bought it now. Maybe later........(evil laugh)

Definitely a newbie (which i am not) question, but what're the points of identification in a LTA versus a BTA? Everyday i dance around whether i've got a doreensis or a quadricolor. I picked it up cheap from a local reefer, sold as a bubble.
Click to expand...

Actually my point is that I would shy away from them, and yes, white is not natural, and not the best way to start out.
I took on the challenge of accepting a bleached nem because I have a fair amount of exp w/ them and have brought back a few to good health, but it's not my preferred way to start out.
As for ID, the foot/base is best, a Doreensis will have a bright red foot, and spotted veracue.
 
Thanks for the update Dav. I was very hesitant to purchase this one but thought that I would take the chance. It hasn't set it's foot down yet but has a closed mouth. I'm really hoping that it makes it gets healthy/happy. Once it proves healthy I plan to get a pair of pink skunks. Right now it is in a 60 gallon cube that is plumbed to my 5 year old 240 DT.
 
Here is a picture although it is not a close up of the LTA. I'll start another thread once I can get a few closer shots. Funny thing with this pic.. I was going for the firefish tro. Once the picture was uploaded, I found where my mini nem went. :dance:
firefishtrio.jpg
 
Cool pic!
When I first posted mine, some speculated it was just a bleached purple, and that could have been the case maybe, and even if so I would have been good w/ that.
I keep looking for a mature blue LTA over the past few years and just haven't seen one, not even blue highlights.
Makes me wonder what the deal is.
Either way will be curious to see yours mature.
 
guilloryreef said:
Dav or Marc, Do you have updates on these LTA's? I just picked one up at an LFS this weekend and would like to know what to expect on color.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Sad to say i lost it. Was doing well, dug in and eating too then decided to go exploring, could be because of the presents of a H. malu although both were doing fine. Long story short, i found it stuck to a vortech and killed the power to let it work it's way off. In the morning it was part welded to the heater and part off in shreds, had to flush it.
After reading the other update i won't be trying another blue LTA and don't care for the greens or purples. Maybe a red one but not looking for one so not anytime soon unless it were available local at a reasonable cost. I also don't know how well the red ones hold their color, i think Dr Mac has a few on sale which have been up on his site since around springtime.
 
Sorry to hear that Marc. This morning mine is still not attached. I noticed that it seems more comfortable with the lights off. I'm gonna try to leave only the blue lights on today and tomorrow to see if that helps at all. I really hope this one makes it as I wanted a sand anemone in this tank.
 
After attempting to bring this anemone back to health, I'm sorry to say that I lost it. I got up Sunday morning to find it falling to pieces. It never put it's foot down and slowly declined. I believe that I won't try another anytime soon.
 
I'm sorry it didn't acclimate to your tank. Although i think mine would've done better if the sebae anemone weren't present, i'm in agreement with you about not trying another blue anytime soon.
Thanks so much for the questions/updates and keeping this topic alive.
 
You know, I've had SW tanks for about 25 years now, and almost always kept nems w/out probs.
The 2 blue LTA's I had never really attached or seemed ok like most(And I did have one green LTA/doreensis for 5.5 years w/ a sebae/crispa also 5.5 years same tank)
I'm not sure what to think on them, I've never seen anyone have a healthy one for very long.
It could be a number of reasons, but I can't help but think something neg on collection of them.
 
Chuu said:
why didn't you use the nem gaurds that come with the vortechs? would save a poor anemone it's life
Click to expand...

Sounds like it wouldn't settle like many others exp w/ them.
LTA is typically a sand dwellar.
I'm guessing it released, the vort may have been an after effect.
I don't use any special cover on my vorts either.
 
@ Marc I am sorry for ur loss :(
Ok I know I am late in the game here but I was wondering how u guys are classifying the LTA's how do u know what kind u have? I have been trying to figure out what type mine is for a min. I bought it from my LFS but it was a trade from someone else... Any help is cool...
 
^^ I posted pics to help you ID on your last post.
Red foot, spotted veracue= M.doreensis, or what many just refer to as LTA.
Post a pic of the base foot if you are unsure and want ID
 
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