My New RBTA

[SPARTAN VI]

Well I traded my Condy for a RBTA. The guy at my LFS said he could get one about 4" in diameter this past weekend, and he delivered.

I circled a nice hole I used to have in the rock that my blue damselfish used to swim through all the time. I liked that hole.. and apparently my RBTA did as well:

This is day three:

I originally planned on holding onto the condy for a little longer. But I didn't want to miss the chance to get an RBTA. Almost a waiting list for one in my area. Tank is just under 6 months old.

 

[55semireef]

Very nice find. Keep up with the feedings. Your tank looks fairly new.

 

[garygb]

Very pretty, and just the type of spot BTA's like to live. Best of luck with your anemone. I did notice that your pump intake is not covered. Your anemone might not wander since it has such a good spot, but in case it does, you could put some sponge around that intake.

 

[kar93]

Very Nice BTA mine didn't look that good for 3 WEEKS

 

[xxpipedreamxx]

Beautiful find.

 

[SPARTAN VI]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11407958#post11407958 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by garygb
Very pretty, and just the type of spot BTA's like to live. Best of luck with your anemone. I did notice that your pump intake is not covered. Your anemone might not wander since it has such a good spot, but in case it does, you could put some sponge around that intake.

Indeed, I had moved the pump to the second filter chamber, but the next day I found that it was rattling rather loudly.

How do you guys put a sponge over the intake? Do they sell a special sponge for this at the LFS or shall I just make a DIY sponge?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11407725#post11407725 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 55semireef
Very nice find. Keep up with the feedings. Your tank looks fairly new.

So far it hasn't been as easy to feed as my condy. The condy used to grab anything that touched its tentacles; brine shrimp, krill; formula 1/2, mysis shrimp. Food doesn't stick to this guy yet. I'll try silversides soon though. I've also read that it's not uncommon for a bta to not feed for the first few days of its acclimation.

 

[xxpipedreamxx]

Don't worry even if it doesn't eat for a week or two. It will settle in eventually. Some of mine have eaten within a couple of days and some took nearly two weeks.

As for the sponge, your LFS should carry them. I order mine from foster and smith. Making your own cover works as well. I use the sponge sold for fluval filters on some of my tanks. I just cut it to fit and wrap it around the intake and secure it with a rubberband.

 

[SPARTAN VI]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11410334#post11410334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xxpipedreamxx
Don't worry even if it doesn't eat for a week or two. It will settle in eventually. Some of mine have eaten within a couple of days and some took nearly two weeks.

As for the sponge, your LFS should carry them. I order mine from foster and smith. Making your own cover works as well. I use the sponge sold for fluval filters on some of my tanks. I just cut it to fit and wrap it around the intake and secure it with a rubberband.

Nice, I'll swing by there after work for a sponge and silversides. Hopefully I don't leave with another zoa.

Thanks!

 

[xxpipedreamxx]

I have to keep myself from even going to the LFS. I have a soft spot for bleached anemones that I impulsively have to save, lol. Good luck with the BTA.

 

[SPARTAN VI]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11410422#post11410422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xxpipedreamxx
I have to keep myself from even going to the LFS. I have a soft spot for bleached anemones that I impulsively have to save, lol. Good luck with the BTA.

Haha, I admit I felt a little scummy returning the condy to the LFS. He was a little bleached when I bought him, but I returned him when he was nice and tanned. Hope someone takes good care of him!

 

[xxpipedreamxx]

I haven't returned anything yet. I nurse them back to health and sell them. I have had a few with rips in the feet, one that had been sucked into a powerhead and was left with a couple very short tentacles, ect. I keep the majority of mine until they start splitting. My poor 15 gallon tank was quickly overpopulated with BTA's, lol. I had to get rid of a whole mess of them lately. Right now I am nursing two very small RBTA's back.

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11410334#post11410334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xxpipedreamxx
Don't worry even if it doesn't eat for a week or two. It will settle in eventually. Some of mine have eaten within a couple of days and some took nearly two weeks.

Hmmm, I don't know about two weeks. If the anemone still hasn't ate in two weeks something is wrong. I would give it a week at max and if it is then still not eating than I would check for possible problems. Rather be safe than sorry.

 

[SPARTAN VI]

Okay, bought some silversides, one sponge (it was a package of two, but the LFS guy opened it up and just gave me one), and also came home with two feather dusters. :rollface:

 

[xxpipedreamxx]

AWW ya couldnt resist huh? Well at least you left the zoas there, lol.

Semi, I rescue a lot of very bleached and malnourished anemones. Some of them take quite a while to start coloring back up and taking food.

 

[SPARTAN VI]

Haha, couldn't resist.

I just noticed that there are some white spots/splotches on the bottom of the RBTA. Anything to be worried about? I'll take pictures the next time the lights are on.

 

[Brian Koyama]

SPARTAN VI- Which LFS did you get that from? I'm not too far from Walnut.

 

[SPARTAN VI]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11416433#post11416433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brian Koyama
SPARTAN VI- Which LFS did you get that from? I'm not too far from Walnut.

Bought it from Fish USA & Pets in Glendora.

Mark (shopkeeper/owner, I think) has another RBTA in the shop, but it's at least 8" to 10" in diameter and $500! :eek1:

You can map it out on Yahoo: http://local.yahoo.com/details;_ylt...imas,+CA+91773&fr=yfp-t-203&lcscb=DzEb3GyoriC

Yeah my review is a little vague.

Have you ever tried Imperial Tropical Fish in Brea?

 

[Jake_07]

WOW $500 I GOT MINE FOR $20 AND ITS VERY HEALTHY

 

[SPARTAN VI]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11416599#post11416599 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jake_07
WOW $500 I GOT MINE FOR $20 AND ITS VERY HEALTHY

Yeah, he probably wont be selling that one anytime soon. It's very large, beautiful, and healthy.

Mark at USA Fish gave me $10 off for my condy and another 10% off for being a "valued customer." As soon as he learned my name he started giving me discounts and pulling favors for me; he really appreciates regular customers. I paid $80 for my 4" RBTA, turns out to be closer to 6" when it's inflated.

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11415812#post11415812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xxpipedreamxx


Semi, I rescue a lot of very bleached and malnourished anemones. Some of them take quite a while to start coloring back up and taking food.

This is true. I have done the same as well with different species of anemones and there are many factors to it. However, my point was that it shouldn't take a healthy looking anemone like the RBTA in this thread two weeks to begin eating. It is understandable if it is a bleached or unhealthy anemone but a healthy anemone should take no longer than a week imo for it to start accepting food.