Question about RBTA Movement

[Craig Lambert]

I placed an RBTA in my tank 3 weeks ago. It attached to the rock immediatly when introduced to the tank. It moved to a position about 8 inches away the following morning and has remained their ever since. It's foot is holding in the shade of a cave, and he is spread across 2 rocks about 2/3 the way up in the tank. (Perfect viewing spot too). My pair of true percs began hosting on the 8th day, the RBTA readily accepts food, and all semms well.

My tank is lightly stocked, and now that the anenome has settled in, I'd like to add more corals. My question is, how long does an anenome need to stay in one location before one can be comfortable enough to feel that he has found his home? I understand that that they can move if flow, or lighting changes (or if they just feel like moving) but assuming those things remain the same do you think it's time to go ahead and add some corals now that he has been in the same spot for 3 weeks?

 

[SEAFLOWERS]

Hard to say Craig,in my own tank, which is a nem only I have nine that have found homes and haven't moved since, and one that has moved several times. Nothing in the tank has changed in months, i.e.. lighting, feeding, water movement patterns. I am not in favor of keeping a mixed tank, but others do it very well, but they are or should be aware that the nem can move anytime it wants and that makes the endeavor a crapshoot at best. I also wonder and I have no proof mind you whether the chemical warfare that goes on between corals in a captive environment harms the nems at all or causes them to move to a better place in the tank. If you know of any articles on the subject please let me know.LOL

 

[Toddrtrex]

I have a bta in my 58 (along with a haddoni, but it stays in the sand) It hasn't moved in over a year. Heck it even stayed put after I moved the tank (I put it's rock back in the same spot, and keep the flow the same). Prior to that, it moved quiet abit until it found its current spot.
However, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't have put it in this tank, now it is full of SPS.
The thing that concerns me now, is if is splits again, the clone will walk around. I have limited if feeding a bit, just enough to keep it the same size, but not too little so that it gets stressed.

HTH

 

[Thurge]

I have had mine for probably two years, and it has been pretty happy inhis home. Once it moved and I ws able to place it back in its origional home and its stayed pretty well.
Except for last month when it decided to stick out from UNDER its normal rock. Foot never moved, just was upside down so to speak. I was able to get it to retract by pushing, shoving, and water flow, then stuck a rock in the hole it poped out of.
Its back to its normal happy self for now.