BTA contracting a day or so after feeding?

[ttdouglas]

After feeding my BTA a Silverside (thawed in a cup of the tank water), it takes the fish in and later puffs to a beautiful shape looking very content. Ahhhh!!

After a day or so, I'll come home to find him shriveled up. Should I expect to see this at the same frequency of feeding? Do I understand correctly that they will do this to get rid of the waste once they are done digesting? I have read that Anemones contracting too often may do so because they are unhappy with water parameters.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Troy

Tank Info
I have had my BTA for about 2 1/2 months now. When I placed it in the top of my live rock (5-6 inches below the surface), it attached and never relocated. I understood this to be a good sign he was happy with flow and lighting.

55 gal stable (2 years since relocating tank)
VHO lighting with Ice Cap ballasts
1st powerhead on 24/7 positioned close range but behind the live rock cradling the BTA
2nd powerhead on timer during day light pointing directly at the BTA but at almost 3 feet away
Wet/dry filter containing live rock fragments in place of bio-balls
Media bag w/ activ. carbon resting on the fragments
Protein skimmer in sump too

 

[drives300]

What are your water params

 

[nlknight]

how long has it been looking like that? it might be taking a poop.:rollface:

 

[ttdouglas]

I'm 'on the go' each day so I'm not sure how long the anemone stays that way. When I come home to discover that he has shrunk down, I keep an eye on him and within an hour or so he begins inflating again reaching full size within 3 hours.

I'd like to take a pole to see how many times a week people say their anenomes go through this. Less than once a week...1 time...2 times a week? Would you find that interesting? I've never set up a pole before on RC.

My Params run like this:

Sal=1.025>10.26
PH=7.9>8.1
KH=7>8
Ammonia=0
Nitite=0
Nitrate=15ppm
Calcium=400+/-
Temp=82>84
Lights on for 9am to 10pm (Is that to long?)

Any areas of concern or recommendations here?

 

[Smokie 1118]

I have had a large BTA for about 6 months now. Mine has always done this as a way of pooping. I don't think it is anything to worry about unless they stay like that. I have started feeding smaller portions more frequently and it has helped. My BTA is about 10in dia. and I feed it a third of a silver side each day. he does not cotract as much as he used to. try smaller and more frequent feedings. If they don't want it they will spit it out.
Good luck

 

[Smokie 1118]

this site will be helpful to you
http://www.karensroseanemones.com/deflating.htm

 

[ChunksInClemson]

My BTA's do the same thing. It scares ya doesn't it? They really look like crap for a while and then 30 mins later, they're full size and beautiful. I have heard they are notorius for this more than the others. I dont worry about it anymore b/c mine are about 4 months old and they are growing pretty well and look good except for when they do this so I think its just readjusting or pooping although I never see poop coming out.

PS-try keeping the temp at 80-82. And BTW, the more consistant(consistanly right) the tank is, the better off everything will be!

 

[ttdouglas]

Thanks for the sharing of info. I have taken a half dozen pictures showing the different stages. I just need to get completely set up to include pictures.