Is this normal for a bubbe tip anemone?

[JeffersonReef]

OK, I posted a thread on my bta last week. I got it from the lfs and it was bleached (whitish pink) and wasnt eating. Also, it was attached to the underside of a rock. here is how it looked then:

After 2 or 3 days of it staying like this, I decided to turn over the rock it was attached to so that it could get some light. BTW my tank is lit by 2 250w MH (9hrs) and 2 96w PC (12 hrs). Since then, it has darkened somewhat, and has opened up somewhat. However, it still isnt eating. I tried to feed it the same way I feed my lta... when I feed thawed-out frozen brine, etc... I squirt some near the anemone and it catches whaever it can. With the bta, brine will actually land on it, and either blow away or a fish will steal it... the anemone wont "grab" it. The lta appreciateivly sticks to and consumes whatever it can catch... so whats up with this anemone? Is it sick? Is there anything I can do to help it or make it happier? Here is a pic of it as-is now. Looks kinda sad to me, but maybe this is just normal behavior:

Thanks for any advice you can provide!

-Tony

 

[Chupacabras]

Just leave it be. If it wants to hide in the rocks, let it. BTA's are wanderers so they move to where they're most secure.

If it's not eating, give it some time; it's not uncommon for a BTA to go hiding for a week after purchase (and your light is probably too much for it right now).

I'd also advise feeding silversides. Brine is about a worthless food, anemone's prefer big, meaty portions.

 

[GSMguy]

dont feed nems brine unless its live they want meaty foods like silversides and krill mixed with some selco and garlic

 

[JeffersonReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8624813#post8624813 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chupacabras
Just leave it be. If it wants to hide in the rocks, let it. BTA's are wanderers so they move to where they're most secure.

If it's not eating, give it some time; it's not uncommon for a BTA to go hiding for a week after purchase (and your light is probably too much for it right now).

I'd also advise feeding silversides. Brine is about a worthless food, anemone's prefer big, meaty portions.

That makes sense. Should I turn the rock back over? Or perhaps decrease the photoperiod? I keep SPS, so I need the tank to stay pretty well lit. LMK. Thanks. Other than that, I guess I will just be patient and hope it gets more active. It does seem to be darkening up... the hot-pink tips are gone... I may end up with a rbta by the time it is healthy again!

-TJ

 

[sukie80]

I just recently got a rbta - and it wouldn't eat silverslides so I fed it some krill. He wouldn't grasp the food so I turned off all pumps (while feeding my sun corals) and put the krill right next to the mouth and he ate like a champ. (ate 3 big pieces)

That's my 2cents.

 

[Chupacabras]

Nah, if uncomfortable, it'll move again. Just keep the tank like you always would, the 'nem will adjust to it.

What sukie recommends does generally work but I'd give it a week or two to see if it'll settle down and start feeding normally.

 

[TOURKID]

I think it looks good. If its turning darker thats even better. its getting healthier.

I had to turn mine once on a rock. I think you did the right thing

Brine has no nutritional value at all.

Try a TINY piece of silverslide defrosted and soaked in selcon if you have some.

If it doesent eat still, try mysis. I turn the pumps off when i feed my nem, no good reason why, but its eats fast.

Good luck. nice bubbles