M. doreensis home

[ezuc]

Picked up an LTA a couple of weeks ago, thought it was a crispa, but guess it's a doreensis. Thanks to Winwood, soeminpaing, and ThRoewer for the ID.

The nem spent the last week cruising around the tank, so been trying to figure out how to keep it happy and in one spot. I've got a shallow sand bed, which I'm suspecting is the issue. Found a post that recommended a PVC pipe filled with sand, so decided to give that a try, but make it a little more visually appealing. Here it is.






Filled up to about 1" from the top with sand, turned off the powerhead and dropped the nem in. Wasn't too happy about being moved.


Spent all afternoon hovering over the top, but wouldn't dig in. Looking happier this AM, but don't think it's dug in yet. Fingers crossed.

 

[davocean]

I have seen so many versions of this and people trying to make this work, I don't think I've seen it work out long term for anyone though, pretty hard to hit that mark where THEY want to be, but keep us posted to see if yours works out.

 

[ezuc]

I hear you. Incredible how much they can move...

Bigger question is if this doesn't work, will it ever be happy/healthy in a shallow sand bed or should it be rehomed?

 

[Winwood]

I hear you. Incredible how much they can move...

Bigger question is if this doesn't work, will it ever be happy/healthy in a shallow sand bed or should it be rehomed?

Healthy ones can make due in shallower beds.

 

[Bogue Chitto]

You did a good job on that. I hope it works out, and if it doesn't you might try a tube anemone. They burrow down in the sand, but that may not be deep enough for them, not sure.

 

[ezuc]

Well that didn't work, climbed out last night...will see if it finds a happy spot in the next few days.

 

[addictedreefer]

It needs to bury in sand and IMO, LTAs won't feel comfortable unless at least a significant portion of the oral disk is resting on sand -- hard rocks all around and it will move, even if its foot is buried.

 

[ezuc]

It needs to bury in sand and IMO, LTAs won't feel comfortable unless at least a significant portion of the oral disk is resting on sand -- hard rocks all around and it will move, even if its foot is buried.

Hmm, that's going to be more challenging...

 

[davocean]

I agree, if they can not bury down well it usually seems they are not happy and keep moving around.
Often they will be snugged up next to a rock, but mostly set in sand.
Also it's not easy to guess where light and flow is just what they want.
Often they seem to like a ledge so they can pull in or out of light as they feel the need for light or shade.
I've seen people even try large tupperware containers of sand and not work out.
Your best shot is see where it goes and maybe a container placed where it goes on it's own, but ideally they should be in a DSB

 

[ezuc]

That's what I figured, will see how it goes over the next day or two, but thinking that a new home is in order.

 

[shifty51008]

How old is your tank? Looks very new from your rocks

 

[ezuc]

7 months, the rocks where the nem is (was) located were dry rock glued together. The rocks in the back have been there for a while, but I've got zero coraline growth and GFO seems to keep the green algae in check. I've been waiting to add corals until I got a nem happy in one spot...

Anyway, nem is basically back where he originally ended up - behind a rock out of the flow and direct light. I don't mind it being there, but figure it won't be happy long term so better find another home.

 

[ezuc]

Ended up rehoming the nem, looking into a BTA since there's a pretty good rock pile a little wasy from my sps, but we'll see...may end up holding off until a crispa shows up at the LFS.