My bta wont eat

[anemonekeeper]

My bta hasnt been eating for a while. I fed it yesterday but it spat the food out overnight. The bta is leaving his mouth open and slowely withering. What should I do?

 

[bradleym]

It needs way more light than your giving it.

The tank is way too new.

The haddoni could well be poisoning it.

So for starters, put a rush on those T5s and more LR, do a 30% water change, and add a bunch of new carbon.

Also, post the following test results. You can usually get them done for free at a LFS:

Salinity
Alkalinity
Ammonia
Nitrites
Nitrates
Phosphates (this one may not be available for free testing)

This is by far the best way we can help you. But to be honest there is little to be done about NTS (new tank syndrome) and that is a concern to be considered here. Good luck.

 

[anemonekeeper]

Salinity: 1.022

pH:8.3

Nitrates:10 ppm dangerous for nems

Nitrites: 10 ppm same as above

Ammonia:0 ppm

 

[bradleym]

Ok, like I said, water change and carbon. WC will help the nitrates and carbon will help with anything you can't test for. LR will help with the nitrites. And he will really need some strong light to recover long term.

Also, ocean salinity is 1.027. I would slowly raise yours to 1.025 or better if I was you.

All that said, it looks real bad at this point, survival is very iffy, regardless of your tank.

 

[Toddrtrex]

A nitrite reading of 10PPM is pretty darn high, and an indication that your tank isn't fully cycled and nowhere near ready for an anemone -- let alone 3.

Going to need to do a series of water changes to bring them done, and while SLOWLY bringing up your SG to 1.026.

I hate to say this, but it needs to be said -- this is a prime example of why one shouldn't add an anemone (( let alone 3 )) to a 7 week old tank.

 

[anemonekeeper]

Sorry I messed up, the nitrite reading was only .25 ppm, not 10, the kit dosnt even go that high

 

[WaffleWalffle22]

Sorry, but that anemone looks like a goner. When they're that sick, it's unlikely they'll come back to life in most cases.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Sorry I messed up, the nitrite reading was only .25 ppm, not 10, the kit dosnt even go that high

Even .25 is too high, and indicates either your cycle wasn't complete, or you are having a mini-cycle

 

[anemonekeeper]

I have more of a mini cycle until I can finish my sump. I also need to get 70 pounds of lr if I want my tank to be stable. Im 14 and therefore short ob cash till after christmas, so until them my tank will be incomplete.

 

[bradleym]

Hey noone's faulting you for needing time to build a tank. Reef tanks are expensive. Unfortunately, anemones are one of the least adaptable animals in the reef trade and should always be added last so that if they live, they stay alive.

What you are dealing with now are the unfortunate consequences of adding anemones before the tank is built to hold them.

It's like flying a plane before your done building it. Try as you might, it ain't gonna fly.

 

[WaffleWalffle22]

It's like flying a plane before your done building it. Try as you might, it ain't gonna fly.

More like flying a plane without wings, or driving a car without a steering wheel, and possibly even racing two boats without water. :lolspin:
I added my first anemone 4 months after I set up the tank. It's a beginner's mistake, and I unfortunately killed the anemone from overfeeding... :fun2:

 

[bhuddafunk]

I would get prepared to remove the anemone from the tank for disposal. They tend to disintegrate fast which will really drive you params through the roof. I hope it makes a come back but I would be prepared for the worst. Good Luck

 

[steelhead77]

FYI...NitRATES of 10ppm are not too high for Nems. IME they can handle much higher than that with no issues and in fact like a little "dirtier" water.

 

[sirbiggstixx]

this nem is a goner..nitrites of 10 is not good..if it start to deteriorate take it out immediately..ive seen some that look bad and come back looking beautiful but that one looks like its hurting..do some water changes and start running some carbon to clean up that water..good luck man hopefully it doesnt poison your tank..

 

[anemonekeeper]

It doesnt look like that all the time, it kind of looks healthy then looks like that, etc. I did the wc last night and he lasted the night better than usual, so I think that might be a good sign.

 

[anemonekeeper]

And again, the nitrite reading is .25ppm, not 10 ppm

 

[Toddrtrex]

FYI...NitRATES of 10ppm are not too high for Nems. IME they can handle much higher than that with no issues and in fact like a little "dirtier" water.

But, nitRITES are, and hence the reason I commented on them.


Where is this "fact" that they like dirtier water?? The only one that might would be an S. Haddoni -- given where it is naturally found. However, after keeping one for 12+ years, I have found that they do a lot better the cleaner the water.

 

[bradleym]

But, nitRITES are, and hence the reason I commented on them.


Where is this "fact" that they like dirtier water?? The only one that might would be an S. Haddoni -- given where it is naturally found. However, after keeping one for 12+ years, I have found that they do a lot better the cleaner the water.

I think there is some merit to the "dirty water" idea, but it is misunderstood. An anemone likes clean water, but it also likes to be fed. An anemone that is not fed will often do better in a tank that is overfed because it can use the excess food particles for growth in place of regular feedings. The overfeeding leads to dirty water, hence the conclusion. That said, I agree, anemones would much prefer target feeding and pristine conditions. :thumbsup:

 

[Toddrtrex]

I think there is some merit to the "dirty water" idea, but it is misunderstood. An anemone likes clean water, but it also likes to be fed. An anemone that is not fed will often do better in a tank that is overfed because it can use the excess food particles for growth in place of regular feedings. The overfeeding leads to dirty water, hence the conclusion. That said, I agree, anemones would much prefer target feeding and pristine conditions. :thumbsup:

That makes more sense -- and should have been stated that way, especially given the newness of the OP.


For me, I actually think that anemones are (( usually )) overfed in our systems. Heck I haven't fed any of my Haddonis since my back fusion back in July, and they are still doing great. Granted I still feed the fish, and normally wouldn't go that long but...

 

[bradleym]

To be fair though, I'd bet your lighting pushes over 300 PAR at the water surface, just based on your proficiency.

Good lighting is a rarity in this hobby, even when people want to do it right they aim for minimums. And with anemones, good feeding can compensate for (SOME) bad lighting.