Nem tentacles shortening and disappearing

[Lonelyreef]

I have a gbta that seemed fine was healthy and flowing. Now I added a gold strip maroon clown and it hosted with the nem immeadietly. Since it began hosting the nem though I've noticed tentacles shrinking. I've seen my clown nibbling on the tips of the nems tentacles and iy is quite honestly very rough with nem. Any ideas if the clown is causing the shrinking tentacles and if so will the nem be alright or should I try to intervene thanks.

 

[bues0022]

How long have you had the nem? How old is the tank? What lights do you have? From what you describe, it sounds like the nem is starved for light. Please post a picture.

 

[Lonelyreef]

I have an 8 bulb hot5 with all ati bulbs. Trust me when I say lighting is not the problem. Tank is about 6 months old but everything wAs moved over from a previous tank so the system is about a year old. It was completely fine until I added the clown. I have no problems with my water parameters. It almost seems like the clown is messing with it to much.

 

[seamonkey84]

How big is the nem compared to the clown? If the clown is too rough with it, it could end up just ripping tentacles off! Otherwise I usually see nems losing tentecles when they are starving because they aren't catching food and aren't being spot fed (or clown steals its food)

 

[Lonelyreef]

The clown is only about an inch and a half and the nem is about 4 inches to 5 around. I spot feed him and I see the clown giving him food. But I have witnessed him biting on tentacles which is kinda weird.

The nem still has good color and excepts food quickly but its tentacles are shorter then previously. Like I said this has only happend since I added the clown thats why I suspect the clown is kinda hard on the nem.

 

[seamonkey84]

The size ratio is right, the nem could just be getting use to the clown and the shorter tentecles are a response to being nipped at. But if you see bare patches and very few tentecles I'd try to isolate it away from the clown and see if it recovers. Some use net baskets over the nem to keep clown out by still have flow and light without moving the nem.

 

[bues0022]

Can you please post a pic? BTA's do not need to be fed if receiving adequate lighting. Can you also post what your water parameters are? Salinity, temp, nutrients, etc.

 

[Lonelyreef]

I'm at .28 salinity temp78-80 nutrients about 10 ppm. I'm not quite sure how to put pics on here yet.