BTA "restless"

[spineshank385]

I purchased a healthy BTA a month or so ago, it was fully opened at the LFS, mouth closed, nice and green (not bleached). Brought it home, acclimated it for an hour or so, then added it to the tank.

It opened up within 15 minutes, and ate some mysis shrimp (its all i had at the time) within 30 minutes.

However, it still has not found a spot yet. It still has nice color, mouth is not starting to open, does the whole "shrivel up and refill with new water" thing once every 2 days or so.

Water parameters are great:
ph: 8.3
temp: 78-79
sg: 1.025
ph: 8.2-8.3
amm: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: .2
phosphate: 0
calcium: 425

Lighting is 175w 20k halide, approximately 350 GPH of circulation through the 29g tank.

The only thing i can think of is there is cleaner shrimp that likes to hang around near the BTA, possibly trying to steal food? Would his constant attention be deterring the BTA from settling down?

is there anything that would really entice it to settle down somewhere?

 

[TOURKID]

Does the shrimp try to steal its food?
If so.. feed the shrimp first. a bit of silverslide will keep it occupied for a few hours

Ive found they are happier on smooth rocks.. and it needs space to setle its foot into a crevice/hole etc.

Your lighting seems fine.
Are u feeding it more than shrimp now?

 

[Ryanqk]

ive had that problem before too and some dont recuperate but ive nursed a few back too. They just have to find a spot thats right for them, for a friggin anenome without a central nervous system they sure do have a mind of there own....
Ryan

 

[DannyUFKC]

See I have the opposite problem. My Rose BTA setteled but in the worst possible place. He is hidden from view under a HUGE rock. It stretches to the side to get some light during the day and I don't want it to get stressed out by doing that. It has been impossible for me to try to move it. Tried the power head suggestion to see if it would move and nothing! Can't get my hand near it because of the awkward position of the rock. I wish it would just move! >=(

 

[spineshank385]

want to trade?

 

[DannyUFKC]

LOL... They are stubborn creatures!

 

[nickterp]

What are you using to get your flow? Do you have alot of live rock in the tank so it has a good place to anchor? They seem to prefer good crevices in rocks where they can place their foot.

It may even be looking for place to get a little shade from the light, some like to do what DannyUFKC's did.

What kind of filtration do you have? Larger tanks for BTA's are usually suggested just becaues they are easier to keep water conditions very stable.

I believe its probably just a matter of it finding a suitable spot, as in a place with the right combo of flow and light. Make sure there are lots of different spots it can choose from: high flow, medium flow, low flow, high light, low light (shade), rock crevices, caves, etc. You could also try temporarily removing the cleaner shrimp to see if that settles it down, you never know.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

I've heard of people using the connector part of a pvc pipe and putting their anemones in it, it gives them a secure feeling around their foot so they are less inclined to move.

 

[MCary]

I cut a piece of 1 1/2 inch PVC and put my anemone in there when it arrived. Hasn't move since.

 

[spineshank385]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7938014#post7938014 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nickterp
What are you using to get your flow? Do you have alot of live rock in the tank so it has a good place to anchor? They seem to prefer good crevices in rocks where they can place their foot.

It may even be looking for place to get a little shade from the light, some like to do what DannyUFKC's did.

What kind of filtration do you have? Larger tanks for BTA's are usually suggested just becaues they are easier to keep water conditions very stable.

I believe its probably just a matter of it finding a suitable spot, as in a place with the right combo of flow and light. Make sure there are lots of different spots it can choose from: high flow, medium flow, low flow, high light, low light (shade), rock crevices, caves, etc. You could also try temporarily removing the cleaner shrimp to see if that settles it down, you never know.

theres about 50 lbs of LR in there, attached to a 20g refugium full of chaeto and a 20g prop/frag tank, as well as a 20l sump. Filtration includes filter bag, CSS 65, and a phosban reactor, as well as carbon in a bag by the return pump.

Sump also houses an ATO pulling water from the ro/di bucket.

 

[DannyUFKC]

I wish I would've known all this before I bought my anemone!!
>=(