How do anemones eat?

[motoxmann]

I fed my week old RBTA for the first time today. I gave it half of a silverside and it immediately closed up around it. The anemone had hold of it for about thirty minutes before my emerald crab stole it (i'm growing to dislike that little $@^&).

Anyway, I was wondering how does the anemone eat the fish? Once it gets it in its mouth what happens from there? I thought i could see the shadowy shape of the fish inside the anemones stretched out foot but i'm not sure.

Also, how long does it usually take for an anemone to eat a fish? The crab stole it after the RBTA had it if for about half an hour, and the fish looked the same as it did when I put it in.

I'm gonna try feeding it again tomorrow, and I may just build me one of those fancy crab traps i've seen talked about here.

Thanks

 

[CaliReefer12]

depends of the size of the anemone. how big is your rbta? it typically takes between 30 seconds and 5 min for them to consume their food. If its on the small side I would recommend feeding it mysis or small pieces of silversides until it grows to about 4 inches. You never want the food to be much bigger than the mouth

 

[azcummins]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14583833#post14583833 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CaliReefer12
depends of the size of the anemone...You never want the food to be much bigger than the mouth

Agreed. I always shoot for food half the size of the mouth. Food that size takes my GBTAs about 2 minutes to get inside of them.

Remember that 'nems have slow metabolisms so the fact that the silverside came out looking like he went in isn't surprising.

 

[motoxmann]

When its all puffed up in the middle of the day i'd say that it's about 3-4 inches. Because of the way its positioned itself I cant say how big the actual mouth is. Its anchored itself in a "cave" and when it comes out during the day, it squeezes up out of a crevice so it doesn't really spread out completely.

I'll try feeding it a smaller piece tomorrow. Probably gonna try to get rid of the emerald too.

 

[azcummins]

how much for shipping for the emerald to 78758?

Im kidding unless someone doesnt get it.

 

[PRDubois]

Feed the crab first!

 

[azcummins]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14584311#post14584311 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PRDubois
Feed the crab first!

Great point. I do that with my cleaner shrimp to keep him from stealing the food.

 

[CaliReefer12]

if your bta is about 3-4" the mouth is probably about the size of a dime. Try a piece about that size or smaller... also good idea to give the emerald crab a small piece before you feed the bta to keep him busy

 

[Henryreef]

here is a cool link with some nice feeding shots Here is a general feeding link
Here is one on feeding too large food