Help with Wandering/splitting RBTA

[finrod2]

I've had a about a 8" RBTA that I bought from a fellow reefer for about 10 weeks. It was doing well in his tank and was a clone from another RBTA that he kept. Since I purchases it has never settled down constantly hiding in rock work, coming out for a day but going right back to walking around the tank. It was still in great shape up until about 10 days ago when it split, not it looks like it split again into another clone. Tank parameters are good, I have adjusted the flow to see if that is the problem. The only other thing I can think of is lighting. I have 6 AI Sol Blues on my tank, does it not like the spectrum these give out? I know these guys have a tentency to wander but this is more that I expected. If anyone can share success stories where your were able to stock the wandering I would appreciate it.
Mike

 

[Dukester]

i stopped my BTA's from wandering by setting up an island dedicated to them seperated from the rest of the tank by sand, mine wont walk over sand so that keeps them where i want them, and the AI Sols wouldnt be an issue, im running LEDS without any issues.

 

[brchapm]

I usually have the opposite problem with my BTAs staying put where I don't want them. Usually, some directed flow moves them. What is the flow like in your tank?

 

[schlosser_jr30]

Assuming light isn't the problem, is it getting too much flow? Mine do not like being blasted. They will stay put when they are happy. Consider the combination of the factors but keep in mind they will wonder untill they are happy. So if you keep changing certain elements they may keep moving. Just some thoughts.

 

[finrod2]

I originally put the new BTA on an isolated rock but it somehow walked across to another rock structure. Both are isolated from the glass so getting caught in one of my Tunzi's has not been a problem, yet. It just doesn't want to stay in the same place more than literally a few hours. It has been in low light, high light, flow and no flow but just doesn't stop moving. I uses 2 big tunzi for flow but its directed against the frost glass and then back to the rock work. I know these guys move but I throught it would settle eventually. I have a smaller RBTA that has stayed in the same spot since I bought it.

 

[rssjsb]

I have a smaller RBTA that has stayed in the same spot since I bought it.

This could be your problem. People always say you can keep BTAs in the same tank together and, generally, I think it's true. However, I have had a similar problem trying to add new BTAs to a tank containing an established specimen. I lost both of the new nems even though conditions were fine with the existing one. I think some BTAs are chemically hostile even to other BTAs. You should probably just remove the new one.

 

[finrod2]

I might have to do that. I believe the two other clones are splitting as well. Therefore I would have to remove 4 of them!

 

[LAKEM0NSTER]

hey finrod, I've had this happen before too, w/ one nem that splits, and then the clone split, & then they just start marching around. These animals are real touchy and the slightest parameter change they'll go on the move, I have found. There haven't been any major changes to the tank lately??

I've debated before on whether to keep them in my DT because of this reason & the fact they sting the **** out of any corals they touch....