Green bta question

[pontiac]

I have recently put a green bta in my tank, and it has moved from where i placed it to go behind my rockwork in the back of the tank, and has been there for three days. I have a pc lighting setup with two 96watt daylights, and two 96watt atcinics, plus a 48in flourecent with a 10k daylight, and an 50/50. Is this to much light? not enough? Or is this normal until it finds a place it wants to be? Any help would be great, thanks.

 

[garygb]

The anemone might be going away from the light initially because it needs to acclimate to your lights. You don't mention the depth of your tank, but most likely, you have enough light. How old are the bulbs? From what I understand, pc's need to have the bulbs changed at ~10 months. The anemone might have been in a lower light situation before you put it in your tank, thus it will shy away temporarily from the light and then slowly move into brighter light in time. It would probably benefit from a little direct feeding while it's back there.

 

[pontiac]

The tank is about 27in deep from top to sand, and my bulbs are about two weeks old. What would be a good food to try first? My rockwork goes all the way to the top of the tank in many places so i hope it will come out soon and find a spot, it was about 8in across when it was open the day i got it.

 

[RBTA]

Silversides are a great food to feed anemones. But others such as mysis shrimp, scallop, raw shrimp((uncooked from the market)) etc will also work to feed them. But whatever you feed be sure to cut it into a smaller size for the anemone to eat, if it is too big the often will try to eat the food and then after awhile just let it go. Mine are about the size where I cut the silverside into a fourth for my rbta, and the gbta eats whole silversides.

Give the anemone time while its getting used to your tank, it will probably come out into a more visible sopt in due time.

 

[pontiac]

Do you hand feed that, or use a turkey baster to gently spray it?

 

[RBTA]

Well you can use a prong type device or tweezers to grab the food and place in the anemone's tentacles. It may take a few seconds for it to grab on to the food, but sure enough it should take it eventually.
I wouldn't handfeed it unless you wear gloves, the sting from the tentacles, while not strong on btas, if you are allergic to it, can be bad, plus it can irritate the skin as well.

 

[pontiac]

Right now the only way i could get to it to feed it would be to move some of my rocks, but i shall give it a try!

 

[garygb]

I use tongs that are maybe 18 inches long or so and put the food o the tentacles. Since this is a new anemone and is acclimating to your tank, it is possible that it will require a little coaxing to take food for the first time. Putting a few drops of "juice" from the food can stimulate the anemone. For example, if you are feeding frozen silversides, thaw the fish and put a couple of drops in the tank and wait 10 minutes or so and then feed. Once your anemone is acclimated, you will probably find they have good appetites and will readily accept food once or twice per week.

BTW, based on the description of your tank, "rockwork goes all the way to the top," your anemone will definitely be able to find a spot that suits it with your light system.

How long has your tank been set up? Water parameters?

 

[pontiac]

Tank has been up and going since about feb of 06. No ammonia at all, ph is about 8.3, and I have barely a trace of nitrates.

 

[garygb]

All that sounds very good. It's just acclimating now its new home.

 

[pontiac]

What affects could it have on a fish if it stings it? My hippo lookes like he was grazed by it, the mark on his belly looks like the same pattern of a tentacle, do they ussually recover ok? He is swimming an eating fine

 

[garygb]

Actually, BTA's are one of the least likely to seriously sting a fish. From what I understand, this species is not usually a problem in a community tank. I think your hippo should be fine.

 

[pontiac]

That is good to know, my wife was freakin out, and thought he was gona die, we have had him since he was the size of a dime, and now he is as big as a half dollar. And she says its her baby

 

[garygb]

Assuming it was the BTA that stung it, then it probably got the message that BTA's are not to be messed with. The carpets are the most notorious fish eaters and H. magnfica is also likely to eat fish. H. crispa and BTA's are much less likely to be a problem from my understanding--not to say it never happens, but less frequently an issue. BTA's just don't pack a particularly potent punch. When they are hungry, they are going to be stickier and sting a little worse, but still not likely to be a fish eater, more just send a fish swimming away full speed. In the wild they are believed to eat plankton size critters and very small, bottom dwelling fish. LTA's are probably somewhere in the middle on the fish eating continuum, I hazard to guess.

 

[pontiac]

Cool, again thank you, and everyone else that has posted replys to me, for all youre help (and patience) with somone who is still learning every day Thanks everyone

 

[pontiac]

It came out earlier, right out to the front bottom of the tank. I gave it some mysis, and it took it as soon as it touched its tenticals. It has not colored up yet but im hopin it will soon. I cant get any silversides or squid from anywhere till friday afternoon, so i'll try that when i get it. Thanks for the help

 

[garygb]

Good to hear it is eating. Mysis is a good food. It will appreciate something more substantial like the other foods you mentioned. The coloring up process may take a few weeks.