new rbta is "missing"

[weld1jac]

Brought home a nice RBTA a few days ago. Seemed to be doing well---it moved around a bit which I understand is expected. I saw it this morning and now...it's nowhere to be found. I even felt around the back of the rocks and ledges...nothing. Is this common for them to completely "disappear" for a while?? I'm hoping it's just found a niche somewhere but I'm concerned that it can't be located. I've been told that they move around some while they're finding their "home" in the tank. Should I just wait for it to show back up or should I do a little more hunting?? Thanks for any help.

 

[dc]

Well they can move around until they are happy. Keep an eye on your water parameters, just in case it died somewhere.

 

[catdoc]

do you have an overflow? They can squeeze into some pretty tight corners, into cracks in rocks, or get sucked into unguarded powerheads/pump inlets. Hopefully, it's just tucked away and will be back out in no time.

(debi, who let you out of the lounge?? )

 

[weld1jac]

I've checked the overflow and even in the sump. I'm not seeing it so maybe it's just hanging out under a rock or elsewhere that I cannot see. Thanks for the comments. I'll let you know when I find it! Anywone else have this happen?

 

[msman825]

I had a max jet eat one a while back and spit it out in little pieces. But there was little pieces in my filter in my over flow box

 

[sohal tang 1]

mine disappeared too

mine disappeared too

I am not sure if this is what happened to yours
but when I first got mine it DISAPPEARED gonzoooo FOR
ABOUT A WEEK DARN NEAR and I thought it had died in
behind the wall of rock......

1 week later WHAMMMMMM there it appeared....

Tim

 

[weld1jac]

Thanks for the replies. Thanks sohal tang 1....I'm hoping this will be the same situation for my rtba. My tank isn't that big (55 gal) and it amazes me that it's hidden itself so well. I've checked overflow and sump over and over and I'm 99.9% positive it's not in there. So, I'll have to play the waiting game for a few more days. I'll also watch my water parameters to see if anything spikes---hopefully it didn't die...sure is pretty and I'd hate to lose it. Thanks again all!!

 

[weld1jac]

The RBTA has been found!!! Thanks again for the replies. I just couldn't wait any longer so tonight I started moving my live rock. Lo' and below there it was, happily planted WAY under the base of a large rock, sheltered by the outcropping of another. It looks healthy and happy. And, of course, now that I've discovered its hiding place it will probably move again!! ha. I was given the impression that they like a lot of light....however this one sure couldn't have getting much living under the rock since the 24th. Any thoughts?