Help with my RBTA...

[erinangele]

I've posted a couple times about this nem. I bought it about a month and a half ago. At first it stayed where i put it for a few days, then moved into the dark behind the rock where it has pretty much been this whole time. It came out for about a day, let go, ran into my torch, then went back behind the rock and has been there ever since (it's been about a month since the run in). Per everything I've read and the advice i was given here, i have not fed it and left it alone. Well today i finally decided to flip the rock around since i really have not been able to see it for over a month and don't want it to die back there. It's color is not as vibrant (not surprised), It's foot is not attached along the rim, and it appeared to be eating it's tentacle. Several other tentacles look like they have already been consumed.
What would you guys do with this nem? Should i leave it in the light and see if it stays? Should i flip it back around? Help!


If you look closely you can see it has a tentacle in it's mouth. Also notice the foot. It's like that all the way around.

Better view of the tentacle.

Foot.

 

[igarc009]

try feeding it. Nems generally eat their tentacles when they need energy kinda like our belly fat. its a reserve. either needs sunlight or food

 

[Anemone]

try feeding it. Nems generally eat their tentacles when they need energy kinda like our belly fat. its a reserve. either needs sunlight or food

I agree. Get some meaty food (frozen krill is often a BTA favorite), and place it gently into the tentacles. If the tentacles aren't sticky and don't grab onto the food (a real possibility, seeing the condition of your anemone), then you may have to hold the food gently against the anemone's mouth (don't try to stick it inside). It may take several minutes, but your anemone's mouth should eventually "swell" out and around the food. At that point you can let go.

Kevin

 

[erinangele]

Thanks for your replies. I just gave it some Mysis, and covered it with a Tupperware so the other fish could not take it. It opened its mouth and was trying to eat it, but now it looks like it's slipping out of it's mouth :-(

I'm just frustrated because i was trying to do all the right things to let it acclimate without stressing (ie. not move or feed it) and ended up starving it. What are the chances of nursing it back to health?

Here it is trying to eat the shrimp:

 

[Anemone]

If your tank is healthy, your chances are very good. BTAs are really very hardy. You might need to start with something a bit larger than mysis, however. At least until your 'nem gets back to having sticky tentacles and feeds itself more efficiently.

Kevin

 

[Anemone]

Also, try to feed when the tentacles are inflated. IME, they don't eat well when their tentacles are deflated.

Kevin

 

[flooddc]

tagging along! I have a similar issue. mine nem tentacles are all gone much worse than yours. I moved it into the sump for several weeks now and it appears to have some tiny tentacles sticking out again. hope your recovered.

 

[igarc009]

Also, try to feed when the tentacles are inflated. IME, they don't eat well when their tentacles are deflated.

Kevin

Plus 1....just give it some time and keep feeding and it will be fine