Going to the experts: small gbta!

[fdonophan]

I got a pretty gorgeous little gbta yesterday, and he's my first one!! Fully extended he's pushing 1.5".

He looks crazy awesome healthy, if I do say so myself. His stalks are deep plum purple with vibrant lime green tips, especially under actinics.

He moved a bit last night to behind the rock he came in on, which I'm fine with - I know they can be shy at first. This morning I flipped his rock around (under actinic only, not full daylites) so I cold feed him. I squirted some mysis, and he gobbled it all down, and has stayed in the exposed spot all day, very bright and happy!

My question is, besides thoughts on overall health, how big can I expect this little beauty to get, and how fast? Is he a slow and steady grower, or will he pop out overnight? I have a 29g - I want to know what I'm dealing with here.

Man, he is so gorgeous!!

 

[bradleym]

You've probably got a good 3 or 4 months before it hits 6 inches. But it will depend on how often you feed it. And FYI it will probably get over 12 inches wide full grown.

 

[fdonophan]

This is what my nem looks like, but way smaller - it is a bta, right?? Looking at other pics now I'm not so sure...

 

[bradleym]

That big one is a Ritteri, or Heteractis Magnifica. Much bigger, and harder to keep than BTAs.

 

[bradleym]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2036172&highlight=purple+green+bta

Check this out. Should look like yours

 

[fdonophan]

The colors are right there, but his tips don't 'bubble.' Is that normal? He seems very healthy - he's mowing down on a couple mysis as we speak...

 

[bradleym]

BTAs don't always bubble. Some never do, and some only do it under the right conditions. It seems pretty healthy in your pic. I wouldn't worry about it not bubbling up.

 

[fdonophan]

Ok, I'll just keep on lovin' it then! If it was a magnifica then I was gonna start lookin' for a bigger tank, LOL!

Thanks for your help.

 

[bradleym]

No problem. Good luck with your new pet!