How long should I leave it alone?

[mikeandjenn99]

I got a new GBTA about 5 days ago, and as everyone knows, they have a mind of their own. Mine has set up house under an overhang in the back of my tank. He inflates well, comes out during the day, ate the first day (I haven't fed him since) and overall seems to have recovered very quickly. Obviously, I would like to try and place him in the front of the tank, and I have another overhang with the same flow and lighting as where it is now that I would like to try. Should I just leave him alone or do you think it would be ok to try and coax him to relocate? Thanks!

 

[JetCat USA]

you can use flow to try and coax him to move, but i wouldn't suggest using manual force. keep in mind though that it may not settle where you'd like even after it moves

 

[mikeandjenn99]

Yeah, I know. He'll probably end up in a hidden corner that I can't see. I at least want to try and coax him into letting go and give the front overhang a try. I just didn't want to mess with him too soon after he settled.

 

[JetCat USA]

if he's healthy the sooner you get him where the both of you are happy the better.

 

[phender]

I have never lost an anemone because I manually removed it and put it where I thought the conditions were best. I have lost anemones because I left them alone for too long in a place where they moved that was not a good place.
I am not of the opinion that BTAs always move on their own to the best place for them.

 

[mikeandjenn99]

well, I tried to manually remove him but he is super stubborn and I didn't want to injure him. So I have directed some flow at him to try and coax him toward the area I want him. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[Mr Stomato]

My btas at soem point have tried moving to the back of my tank. Since upgrading tanks I have chosen to place my rockwork in a way that seals off most light in the back. I haven't had any of my 4 nems go back there on this tank. I guess I would call it the light starvation technique.