Bubble tip not happy

lilphil26

New member
So I've had a flame bubble tip for a couple weeks now. At first when I bought it it was extended and enjoying the flow. It is located in a 20*20*20 cube(35 gallons) lit with a kessil 160. He's only small so I have been feeding him frozen mysis shrimp every 3 to 4 days. He gladly accepts food and isn't gaping at the mouth. Just not open like he originally was and I don't want to lose him. He's around mid tank receiving random flow provided by an rw4 jebao. Should I be concerned? Thanks guys

Alk 9
Ca 450
Mag 1300
Phosphate undetectable
Nitrate 0.5
Temp 78
Ammonia and nitrite 0
 
Too late :(

Too late :(

Woke up this morning and his mouth is wide open and looking like he's beginning to disintegrate. Guess I should have posted this earlier.
 
No pic. He isn't dead. I got him off the rock he was on and put him in the sump where I have a bit better control of the flow and lights. Shall see what happens
 
every 3-4 days sounds much. i feed mine only once every two weeks. i have been keeping bta for years.
 
NYC any idea how to make him expand like usual? I'm sure it's too much light. I bought it from an lfs using Chinese black box LEDs which were hung high and the nem wasn't directly underneath the lights, more off to the side.
 
NYC any idea how to make him expand like usual? I'm sure it's too much light. I bought it from an lfs using Chinese black box LEDs which were hung high and the nem wasn't directly underneath the lights, more off to the side.

Is it wild caught or a tank raised? I have two wild caught BTA'S and they are nothing but headaches, from info from different people etc wild caught ones may take a considerable about of time to adjust to tank conditions.

I have one tank raise BTA and he's been a pleasure to have, but I encounter problems daily with my others. I consider my tank stable i.e. salinity, parameters, temp, everything falls into the "good range" but they still act unhappy daily i.e. shriveling up, expelling.

I have medicated with Cipro in case of a bacterial infection but still I have issues. My RBAT wild caught nem will bubble up nicely all day take in the rays and then of an evening expel and look like near death, and this happens daily. My Pink Tip BTA moved from mid tank down to sand bed and is happy when lights are off and cringes and expels slightly when the lights come one. Would do you do???

In my opinion some are just not cut off for aquarium life, and find it hard to adjust. All you can do is provide optimum conditions, judge if it is sick treat as necessary, then just watch and wait and hope for the best. This is what I have had to come to terms with, I have tried my best on giving the best conditions, meds etc, just got to wait and hopefully they adapted.


:headwally:
 
I think he is tank raised actually. I got it from a lfs who told me they get them from a good customer who brings them in on trade. I'm going to try to place it closer to the sand bed in an overhang and see if it moves into the light. I thought it would move to where it was happy but apparently not. All my parameters are good. The only thing I don't like is that my pH is at 7.8 usually. The tank is in the basement and with it being winter, I assume the carbon dioxide level in the house is through the roof.
 
You can certainly blast BTA's with too much light. 3-4 days per feed should not necessarily be a problem with a healthy nem, so long as it's only a small amount.

A full tank shot would be good.
 
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