BTA in hiding

[Dazed1]

I recently got a GBTA, supposedly from Vietnam. I placed it somewhere in my tank where I thought it would be happy, but as we all know that never works.

It moved around for the last 24 hours and now seems to have settled with its foot in rock crevices and the tips pointing towards the back wall of the tank. The only way I can see it is from one of the sides of the tank, and only see the tips. It doesnt get much light there, but gets some decent flow (mp10 @100% in a 28g JBJ).

Should I attempt to take out a lot of the rock and bring it out with hopes that it settles somewhere out front? Or should I assume that is all I will see?

How do I feed it? I cant reach directly to it, not even with a turkey baster.

 

[tallreefguy]

How long has it been in it's current spot?

 

[Dazed1]

I put it in the tank about 30 hours ago. Been at this spot since about 2hours after adding it to the tank.

I did a 2hour drip acclimation as well.

 

[Meshmez]

I had a GBTA do this too.. it only lasted about 5 months... where as the RBTA i got around the same time stayed out front and is doing well... i recently got another GBTA and it went to the same place as the other one did... hopefully it doesnt have the same outcome... are GBTA's more sensitive to light or something? i cant imagine that being the issue since im only running t5's..

 

[nehsmit]

I got a GBTA yesterday around 1pm. Placed him in a crevice in the front of the tank. By last pm he was making a move to the back. This morning further back and tonight I could barely see the tips. Very little light there but good flow everywhere (2x hydor 750s in a 24g Cardiff). I figured since it was still early, I moved him back up front but in a different parrot the tank. Let's see what happens. Keep you posted.

What are your thoughts on moving BTA's?

 

[hollister]

Let him move. You may not like the spot he picks but im sure he will.

 

[Dazed1]

Let him move. You may not like the spot he picks but im sure he will.

Exactly why i'm not touching it. Hopefully its happy where it is. I'll wait a month and get another RBTA.

 

[cet98]

FWIW, a MP10 at 100% in a JBJ28 may be a tad too much flow...
don't worry about feeding it, especially since you just got it...I would turn down the pump a bit and wait a week...I would think that it will move again searching for light and it's happy place...
BTW, what type of lighting are you running?

IMO I would be sure you run a good amount of carbon in your sump area if you decide to add another BTA to your nano...

good luck and please post some pix

 

[Kabuto]

Mine took about 3 days or more to get a place it liked. It would stay at that same spot for a year and then decide to float around the tank for while and try different spots but eventually go back to the same spot. My clownfish would just follow it around. Moral... Protect those powerheads.

 

[Dazed1]

FWIW, a MP10 at 100% in a JBJ28 may be a tad too much flow...
don't worry about feeding it, especially since you just got it...I would turn down the pump a bit and wait a week...I would think that it will move again searching for light and it's happy place...
BTW, what type of lighting are you running?

IMO I would be sure you run a good amount of carbon in your sump area if you decide to add another BTA to your nano...

good luck and please post some pix

Are you saying no for the MP10 @100% for the BTA or in general for other items? If its for the BTA, I can reduce the flow a little, but don't want my SPS suffering.

As far as light, its running a 150w HQI with a 14k Phoenix.

 

[Dazed1]

Mine took about 3 days or more to get a place it liked. It would stay at that same spot for a year and then decide to float around the tank for while and try different spots but eventually go back to the same spot. My clownfish would just follow it around. Moral... Protect those powerheads.

Yup. I have the sponge on the MP10. Heard many horror stories.

 

[Rippinfrags]

Are you saying no for the MP10 @100% for the BTA or in general for other items? If its for the BTA, I can reduce the flow a little, but don't want my SPS suffering.

As far as light, its running a 150w HQI with a 14k Phoenix.

For the bta, I would also suggest to turn down the flow, your sps will be fine. Just leave the bta alone and it will come out more and more each day. Good luck!

 

[Rippinfrags]

How do I feed it? I cant reach directly to it, not even with a turkey baster.

Sorry I just saw this question. IMO don't worry about feeding, especially right away. Wait at least a week or two and then just squirt some fish food, (mysis, brine, scallops, clams, shrimp,etc.) whatever you use, in the direction of the bta, he should catch something. Only worry about feeding the bta if you want or need him to grow, otherwise he should be fine with just your lighting.

 

[Dazed1]

For the bta, I would also suggest to turn down the flow, your sps will be fine. Just leave the bta alone and it will come out more and more each day. Good luck!

Got it. I have not touched it, nor do I plan on for now. I reduced the flow to about 60%and put the cover on the MP10, which cuts the flow some more, so lets see. Its very pretty, Hope to see it soon!

 

[nehsmit]

I have 2 hydor 750s alternating. Is that too much flow? It spreads the BTA so you can see his mouth--and its closed.

 

[Dazed1]

Got a quick update. As of last night, I got home right when the lights were about to go off. The BTA had moved, and come more towards the surface.

I increased the flow with 1 notch (10%?) and this morning it was still up. Lets see how it is once I'm home. Then time to turn up the flow a little more and to try and feed it. Looking good so far! Will get a picture sometime this week.