bta looking healthy but not eating

[claytontong]

I have a new, 3" (expanded) BTA (about 3 weeks) that is in a small (20g) quarantine tank. water parameters are good, lighting seems ok. BTA is fully expanded for the most time, although the last couple of days he seems to be contracting some or all the way for some of the night hours. he's found a place below a rock ledge and hasn't moved much since. he doesn't look bleached, mouth looks fine. (it's a HE, not a SHE) (ok, just kidding!) only concern I have is that it's not eating anyting discernable - is this a problem, or just something to watch, or not a problem at all? I've tried pieces of shrimp, prime reef, mysis, even some flakes and pellets. the first time I tried shrimp, the tentacles engulfed it as I expected, but within a minute the tentacles opened up and let the food float off (tentacles did not exhibit any stickiness) - no attempt to move the food to the mouth. shrimp and other foods attempted since (listed above) don't even get a response from the tentacles - just completely ignored - as if the food were inert particles.
temp - 78-80
SG - 1.026
amon - 0
nitrite - 0
nitrate - 0
ph - 8.2
alk and CA - can't remember right now
lighting - spot PC bulb (26w) right above BTA - about 6-8" away.

 

[guido_kp]

he needs more light for sure. the quarantine tank is matured/cycled/etc, right? have you tried feeding silversides? some anemones i have seen are too picky to accept the foods you have listed, but i have yet to see one that refused silversides (that wasnt already too far gone). mine's ravenous at feeding time. also, mine seems to have more of a feeding response after the lights go out. the tentacles lose their bubbles and get elongated at night and are alot more receptive to food versus when they are bubbled up. good luck with it.

 

[davocean]

It's still new, I wouldn't stress on the feeding as they can go a long time w/ out food.
Definitely needs more light(that is a main source of energy maybe more important than food itself)
I would of put it in established tank rather than QT.
They do close at night when light goes off.

 

[55semireef]

Yes you definately need more light. PC lighting doesn't penetrate the water very much.

 

[claytontong]

thanks guys. he's doing the contraction - expansion thing a little more, so with the limited light (it seems bright though!), I took your advice and moved him into the main tank. (yes, the Q-tank is well established, just lighting is low). he seems ok at the moment (couple hours later), but I'll keep watching and post again in a couple of days with an update....