is my BTA bleached?
- Thread starter mkzimms
- Start date
Slakker
Premium Member
I'd say it's for sure bleached...as yours may well be, Tunguska. If they are under inadequate lighting they will bleach, and unless that improves they won't color up.
Some believe that when the tentacles are bubbly like that (large and inflated) the anemone might be trying to increase its surface area to provide room for more zooxanthellae to photosynthesize.
Some believe that when the tentacles are bubbly like that (large and inflated) the anemone might be trying to increase its surface area to provide room for more zooxanthellae to photosynthesize.
55semireef
Moved On
Your BTA is very bleached.
Mr Sh0tgun
New member
How long has the tank been set up?
2 months, all my chemistry readings are on point. i feed zooplex and microVet to the tank and a regular dosing of bi-ionic 1 & 2. my lr was cured and only a 2 minute drive from the store to my house (moved in water) and there was almost no spike in chemistries. my sand was seeded with 1 lb of sand from my fathers well established reef.
i bought and moved the BTA in friday night. plopped him ontop of that rock and seemingly tripled in size (bigger than he was in the lfs), by morning he moved himself in there and is doing fine. is bleaching going to be a huge problem or is it really just a matter of color as long as the anemone is thriving?
i bought and moved the BTA in friday night. plopped him ontop of that rock and seemingly tripled in size (bigger than he was in the lfs), by morning he moved himself in there and is doing fine. is bleaching going to be a huge problem or is it really just a matter of color as long as the anemone is thriving?
Slakker
Premium Member
The anemone isn't thriving. Bleaching is the absence of zooxanthellae algae, which is where the anemone gets much of its energy (the algae creates "food" for the nem when it photosynthesizes). Without this algae present, your anemone can live on being target fed for a while, but eventually will die. This doesn't mean that if the zooxanthellae comes back you can stop feeding, though.
And also, if it's tripled in size it's probably trying to absorb more light...I'm not sure that your lighting is enough for an anemone.
And also, if it's tripled in size it's probably trying to absorb more light...I'm not sure that your lighting is enough for an anemone.
Tunguska
New member
Well, I figured that had something to do with them being a bit smaller than they grew to at one point. I have 2x250watt Iwasaki 6500K bulbs, about 9 months old, so I don't lack any light. I did have them under 6x40 watt 6500K 4xODNO at one point for a few months, and the difference didn't seem to affect anything. I've fed everything from cyclopeze and mysis to chopped up shrimp, scallops, and clams from the grocery store.
What I want to know is, where do I get more zooxanthellae algae for them to ingest somehow and start producing it again?
EDIT: the tank has been up for about 2 years now.
EDIT2: Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread, but figured if we solve either issue, we solve both since they are the same thing.
Slakker
Premium Member
From what I understand, the zooxanthellae algae will come back on its own if it's under proper lighting. I'm not completely clear on how it works, but maybe a small portion of the algae is just dormant in the anemone until it gets the proper conditions to reproduce again or something.
Also, it may not be intensity that you're lacking, but proper spectrum. I think you might want to try out some 10k or higher bulbs, they seem to provide better spectrum for photosynthesizing.
Also, it may not be intensity that you're lacking, but proper spectrum. I think you might want to try out some 10k or higher bulbs, they seem to provide better spectrum for photosynthesizing.
redvipe2010
In Memoriam
It's lossed it's zooxanthelle, could be for a number of reasons.
55semireef
Moved On
I use to think my RBTA was never going to recover its zooxanthellae after much debate and observations but now its finally starting to color up.
I bought an LTA 2-1/2 weeks ago from a local pet store and it was bleached to a light tan color. The tanks at this store use the T-5 bulbs. After 2-1/2 weeks in my tank under MH lights, this same anemone is now a dark carmel color.
In my main display tank I run T-5 bulbs and have a GBTA in there. This anemone does not need the MH lights like the LTA does in order to survive, so it does fine in this tank. It is not bleached and is 7" in diameter and eats really well. It did not plant itself high in my tank liked I hoped that it would, but instead planted itself between two rocks 1/4 of the way up off my sandbed. I only see the bulbs come out when the acintics are on.
I first placed it on my highest rock closest to my lights and the bulbs were out so pretty, but it decided it didn't like it there best.
I also waited till I had a mature tank of one year before I even attempted an anemone, because that is what my LFS owner told me to do.
In my main display tank I run T-5 bulbs and have a GBTA in there. This anemone does not need the MH lights like the LTA does in order to survive, so it does fine in this tank. It is not bleached and is 7" in diameter and eats really well. It did not plant itself high in my tank liked I hoped that it would, but instead planted itself between two rocks 1/4 of the way up off my sandbed. I only see the bulbs come out when the acintics are on.
I first placed it on my highest rock closest to my lights and the bulbs were out so pretty, but it decided it didn't like it there best.
I also waited till I had a mature tank of one year before I even attempted an anemone, because that is what my LFS owner told me to do.
cschweitzer
New member
Is that 1, 2, or three anems? It is probably just poking out of both sides of the rock. It is definitely bleached, but seeing as you've only had it two days, I would highly doubt this is your fault. To help gain health, leave him be, maybe get some more lighting, but I would think 5W/G PC could keep him okay, although this would be close to the bare minimum. If using PC, I would recommend close to twice that wattage.
Best advice is feed, feed, feed. Feed at least once every other day, probably minimum of 4 times per week. Feed meaty foods, mysis, squid(mine love this), scallops, clams, oysters, table shrimp, pretty much any saltwater invert that your grocery store carries that you want to add. Freeze them, then grate them over a cheese grater(probably won't want to use for anything else) and repeat until desired size is reached(I like doing it twice). Add selcon and garlic extreme and this will be an absolute blessing to your anem(your clowns will love it too).
Best advice is feed, feed, feed. Feed at least once every other day, probably minimum of 4 times per week. Feed meaty foods, mysis, squid(mine love this), scallops, clams, oysters, table shrimp, pretty much any saltwater invert that your grocery store carries that you want to add. Freeze them, then grate them over a cheese grater(probably won't want to use for anything else) and repeat until desired size is reached(I like doing it twice). Add selcon and garlic extreme and this will be an absolute blessing to your anem(your clowns will love it too).
cschweitzer
New member
Also, if he's unhappy in that spot, he'll move himself, so don't worry about where he places himself...it'll be the right spot for him.
