Bubble Tip Behavior

[Nikon_Guy]

The Rose Bubble Tip that I have was “rescued” from a LFS. It was rather bleached, almost white, and attached to the glass near the top of the tank. I would imagine it was trying to suck up as much light as it could.

Anyway, because of its condition I purchased it for a haggled price of 20.00. I figured even though I’ve never kept one and it is my first reef tank, the poor thing had to be better off with me than where it was. Over the past month I have been feeding it and making sure it has the proper current as well as light and it has made what I feel is good progress in getting its “zoo” back.

Here is a question for the Bubble Tip experts out there. During lights out it retreats into its hole so it is about half the size that you see in the picture. The tentacles are much darker in color with a greenish hue with bright rose tips. It remains that way for about the first four hours of lights on. After four hours it spreads itself way out, doubling in size as you see in the picture. When spread out, the color changes to what you see. Much lighter and much more space between the tentacles. Is this normal? Anything I should be doing different?

Thanks

 

[redvipe2010]

Wow, I'm impressed! Yes that behavior sounds normal to me.

What are you feeding him? How often and how much? He looks hungry to me. But you have to be doing something right, he is still alive. Congrats!!!

 

[Nikon_Guy]

every other day I give it a small piece of raw shrimp or raw clam. It most likely gets a bit of mysis on the days I feed that to the clowns because I feed them near it.

I have been reading that silversides are good food and as soon as they get some in at my retialer I will pick some up but they have been out of stock.

 

[redvipe2010]

Mine loves silversides. Your portions may not be large enough. Based on the picture, I would probably try to feed that BTA about a 1" piece of silverside and see how he does. You can also cut the 1" in half and give him the rest after he has finished the first. I have one that is about that size and he can take about a 2" piece or larger. For sick BTA's the portions need to be small and often.