BTA Stings Blown Out of Proportion?

[Tenshoa]

I have a BTA that borders/touches several corals, including zoas and an acro. I have, in the past had other corals in those places as well. I have never noticed any deterioration, damage, or death of anything that is ever been near it. In fact, the zoas that it brushes up against (and sometimes lays on) don't even close their polyps. I've had it for about 8 months now. It has never moved from its spot but it has quite a bit larger.

Everything I have ever read says that they can kill corals but I have seen no evidence of this whatsoever in my tank. So my question is... is this grossly over-exaggerated? Has anyone else had any experiences with this?

 

[Timfish]

I can speak first hand BTA's ability to kill corals. But I also don't doubt the possibility you may have a strain or clone line that has a much lower toxicity or a much higher trigger threshold for it's nematocysts to fire. I also see different degrees of reactions in corals to being "harassed" by BTA's. Notably the blue coral I have is completely indifferent.

 

[ColtonMeng]

I have a RBTA that grew from 7'' in diameter to approaching 15. Some of that growth overlapped a green plating coral that was on the same rock- wherever the tentacles touched as it grew, the other coral died. I ended up having to go in with a hammer and chisel to save and relocate what was left of the plating coral.

Thanks,

Colton

 

[jlafou1]

I used to have a big RBTA that would occasionally brush against some nearby zoas but I never saw any damage. I'm sure it has more to do with the type of anemone as well and the level of tip inflation. A bubbly tip may not have as much contact area as a stringy one perhaps?

 

[Tenshoa]

hm. interesting to say the least. I'm wondering if I should start thinking about a new home since both my anemone and my sps are continuing to grow. As much as I have been lucky in my experience, it still leaves me a bit paranoid.

 

[Tweaked]

Was explained to me this way from someone more knowledgeable than me on the subject. Nems have been know to coexist for months next to coral with no affects. However, if the coral desires to throw down a true fight, it's end of days for the coral.

 

[Fishy Rob]

I have a RBTA that moved next to some red monti cap and was covering and or brushing up against it for a day and it showed some fading. Also had some pulsing xenia that was completely wiped out but that took a few weeks of brushing against it.

 

[davocean]

hm. interesting to say the least. I'm wondering if I should start thinking about a new home since both my anemone and my sps are continuing to grow. As much as I have been lucky in my experience, it still leaves me a bit paranoid.

I would say that is good thinking.
Moving or disturbing your BTA in any way could also increase the chances of negative reaction towards corals, so I would be careful when doing so, and I'd be sure to run carbon if you do not already.

 

[listen2bob]

In my experience, zoas do not care. sps and lps however perish. I have a protective border of zoas around my gbta

 

[living_waters]

If you have a stingless strain of bta shoot I'd start choping that thing up (Craigslist " stingless rbta for sale") lol I'd buy it.....

 

[Jone]

BTA are nice to look at..Got to have a piece of realestate just for them..If your willing to so..