Bulimic BTAs

[DeadlyMuffin]

I have two small BTAs that were beached pretty badly by a heater failure a month or so ago. They haven't recovered any color as far as I can tell, but I've been trying to feed silversides and mysis.

They always take the food with no problem, but I've noticed that, hours later they will sometimes (always? I could be missing it) spit the food back up. I thought it may be due to the size of the pieces, but with something like mysis where it's many small shrimp I'm not sure how that's an issue.

If anyone can suggest a new food or something I can do to make it more palatable, please let me know.

 

[Slakker]

perhaps just too much food at once? Try just two or three mysis and see if they still regurgitate it.

 

[DeadlyMuffin]

That's a good idea. I just wish I could tell if they were regurgitating when i wasn't looking.

 

[shabreeson]

even if they do regurgitat it you can't do anything but a water change to change the situation

 

[DeadlyMuffin]

I'm not sure I understand. What does a water change have to do with it?

 

[shabreeson]

in general, water changes help everything. just stating that if the nem regurgitates the food you give it the only thing you can do is have good water parameters(water changes, if done correctly, help with the parameters you can't test for). if it does regurgitate the small amounts of food with great water parameters then you can't do anything about it(in which case, seeing it eat fully doesn't matter at all in the end).

 

[dilbert_uk]

I have two further points:

a) The quality of food. Also fish spit out some food.

b) The more food is available, the faster and the more incomplete the digestion.

 

[DeadlyMuffin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13566860#post13566860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dilbert_uk

a) The quality of food. Also fish spit out some food.

I thought about this, and tried silversides from two different sources as well as mysis. I'm going to keep trying a variety of things, hopefully I hit on something they really like.

b) The more food is available, the faster and the more incomplete the digestion.

I can only hope that too much food is the issue

 

[dilbert_uk]

I remember only from Anthony Calfo's book that he mentions corals regurgitate food. In his mind that can happen because the tentacles grab anything containing proteins.
They first put this into their mouth and later the stomach decides if it's worth to digest or not.
He states that also coral regurgitate food a few hours later.
Only. I never observed this as I go usually to bed after feeding the Caulastreas.

My guess is that anemones could behave quite similar.

 

[ds4x4]

is the size of the silversides too big? try very small pieces and go from there..

 

[kobesan]

If all fails, try some live food like baby brine shrimp. That should simulate the feeding process. Anemones also obsorb photoplankton and you can also try feeding cyclopese.

 

[dragonette]

I recently purchased a anemone that was bleached (4 months ago) and at first it wouldnt take any food, then it finally came out of the rockwork and starting eating about 3 weeks or so ago. It eats smaller foods, and at first was upchucking when it ate.

I suggest feeding smaller amounts (even if it seems like its tiny... the anemone is sick, so feed it like 2 pcs of mysis to start). I would also soak it in Zoe or some kind of nutrition supplement so that way even if he spits it up.. chances are he absorbed some of the zoe and still got some nutrition. Its kind of like wrapping a pill in a piece of meat for a dog.

Anyway, anemones require alot of patience to bring them back to good health and they can be very frustrating. Just keep trying, and remember not to over do it, even though he needs the food.. just like when you are sick with the flu.. you eat a LITTLE and if you can keep it down, you eat a little more later.

Moderation is key! also, try some raw shrimp or calamari from the supermarket. Sometimes the variety will spark thier appetite. I know my LTA will upchuck a silverside, but if I give him calamari (squid) or I recently bought some shark meat (not sure what kind) from the seafood counter and he will eat that readily. Its not only cheaper but they seem to appreciate the variety. My nem. doesnt really appreciate mysis or any fish-store packaged food.. an usually spits it up.. what a spoiled brat ! lol

Good Luck
Jess