I have had my GBTA for over three months. It moved around the tank for a week or so and then found its spot. The anemone positioned itself under a rock where it doesn't get that much light. I have tried to feed it as much as possible. I get a good feeding reaction most of the time. then probably about two weeks ago it started moving again after being in the same spot for 2.5 months. The anemone just doesn't look right. The green color has faded and the tentacles are very skinny. The anemone closes once or twice a day. Tonight when I came home from work the anemone was extremely closed in like 1/4 its original size. what do you think is going on? I can provide pictures and more info if needed. any help is much appreciated. two clowns host this anemone and I don't want them to lose their home
Dying GBTA
- Thread starter Babydaull
- Start date
aznflyfisherman
New member
I too have a fairly new gbta, first thing is try not to bother it to much, let it be. so the bta can find the spot it likes. My did the same for a week, it was actually bleach when i got it, n i only feed him twice n i left him alone after seeing him closing up too much. You might be over feeding him n he can't digest the food. Also what lights are you using n what are your parameters. Also i think the gbta are more sensitive then rbtas from my experience. Post some pictures.
I have an AI prime, everything is at 40% except for red and green they are at 15%. I run a 8 hour cycle with a 2 hour ramp.
My parameters are all good, my nitrates might be a little high.
I am at school right now, I will post some pictures when I get home.
My tank was completely cycled when I put the GBTA in the tank.
aznflyfisherman
New member
how long have your tank been up and running? What size tank? You said you try to feed as much as possible, you maybe trying too feed it too much n it cant digest the food. The first picture looks more translucent which is a sign of being bleached already. When i got mine i feed it once after it open up n waiting two more weeks n feed it mysis again n i stopped after it regain some color back. I would cut the feeding down n see how it reacts.
The tank has been up and running for a little bit over 4 months. I have 20 gallon nuvo fusion. The reason I bought such a big one was because the LFS told me it was splitting, which it never did. I didn't know you could over feed anenomes. I have been feeding it daily. Should I hold off on feeding it for a week or so and then start feeding once a week? Do you think it could be a lighting issue at all? its kind of under a rock and doesn't get that much light.
aznflyfisherman
New member
I would definately stop feeding, let it settle in your tank, your tank is fairly new to begin with. Monitor it n see how his color is n let it open up, let it move to where ever it likes in your tank. Your light should be fine, the more you mess with it thr more it will get stress. Also what r you feeding it n how big of a size is the food?
I will stop feeding and I'll I let it be for a little bit. How do I let it open up? I let it move freely and it has just been in that one spot forever. I have been feeding it 2-3 frozen brine shrimp a night' they are a little bit smaller than a dime.
Opinions...
So talked about earlier how my anemone is constantly closing.
I have read that some times random or quick changes in lighting can cause them to close up. I might have put two and two together. I have a random thunderstorm feature on my light. which just acts out lightning bolts. Today I came home and the anemone was closed and the thunderstorm feature was in affect. Could this be causing it to close all the time? or some of the time?
So talked about earlier how my anemone is constantly closing.
I have read that some times random or quick changes in lighting can cause them to close up. I might have put two and two together. I have a random thunderstorm feature on my light. which just acts out lightning bolts. Today I came home and the anemone was closed and the thunderstorm feature was in affect. Could this be causing it to close all the time? or some of the time?
raythepilot
Member
How to keep BTA
How to keep BTA
I've been giving away BTA's for years and from my experience when they are moving around that is a bad sign. It means that there is a problem with the water. In fact my biggest problem is getting one to move out of a rock when I want to give it away.
My suggestion are:
1. And most important. Cover all intakes with a nylon mesh. When BTA move they always go down stream (toward an intake).
2. Put a bubbler where you want your BTA to go. That creates a downstream current to the right place.
3. Do lots of water changes. I do 2 x 25% each week.
BTA's are not demanding and easy to keep. I feed mind once a week or less.
I do not think light is that important to them as I have tried putting them in dark conditions to get them to move to a lighted area but they don't budge.
The only way to get them out of a rock that they are in love with is to stun them with NH4+ They are very sensitive to small amount of ammonia and that starts them to moving.
How to keep BTA
I've been giving away BTA's for years and from my experience when they are moving around that is a bad sign. It means that there is a problem with the water. In fact my biggest problem is getting one to move out of a rock when I want to give it away.
My suggestion are:
1. And most important. Cover all intakes with a nylon mesh. When BTA move they always go down stream (toward an intake).
2. Put a bubbler where you want your BTA to go. That creates a downstream current to the right place.
3. Do lots of water changes. I do 2 x 25% each week.
BTA's are not demanding and easy to keep. I feed mind once a week or less.
I do not think light is that important to them as I have tried putting them in dark conditions to get them to move to a lighted area but they don't budge.
The only way to get them out of a rock that they are in love with is to stun them with NH4+ They are very sensitive to small amount of ammonia and that starts them to moving.
Irishdolphin
New member
Can you explain more about how exactly you go about that as I have some BTAs I need to move on
raythepilot
Member
pm me on this
aznflyfisherman
New member
Well thats good u will have two but it is usually a bad sign as well. It might be splittng because of u feeding it too much or something is off. Hope they both will be ok.
Donivan2009
New member
Im in no way a BTA expert, but I've done tons of research into them prior to getting my first one. The fact that its splitting is not a good sign. It's too small and doesn't look healthy enough to be splitting for procreation reasons. It is most likely splitting for survivability. Its not a proven fact but most people believe they split because they feel they will have a better chance at surviving as two separate anemones rather than one. Also, if you have been feeding it a lot, and then recently did a large water change, that can sometimes make them split.
Double check all of your water parameters. Anemones are pretty sensitive to ammonia and nitrates. Lighting most likely isn't one of your issues, but I have found that if I have too much water flow blasting on mine, he will close up and eventually move if I don't adjust it. Im sorry to hear your having trouble with him. I hope it gets better soon, but if not, maybe find a friend with a well established tank who can take one of them (if they split) in case the other one doesn't make it.
Good luck friend!
Double check all of your water parameters. Anemones are pretty sensitive to ammonia and nitrates. Lighting most likely isn't one of your issues, but I have found that if I have too much water flow blasting on mine, he will close up and eventually move if I don't adjust it. Im sorry to hear your having trouble with him. I hope it gets better soon, but if not, maybe find a friend with a well established tank who can take one of them (if they split) in case the other one doesn't make it.
Good luck friend!
