RBTA 1/2 Melted?

[ghotiFL]

I just got home and my RBTA is shedding tentacles and is almost 1/2 melted. The "good" half looks fine... but the bad half is swollen and has the mouth on its side. My clowns are freaking out.

My ex took my camera.. or I could post a pic. :-(

I have a hi-res web cam, but PM for address.. Don't need to many people killing my computer.

I have changed nothing in my tank for 3 days, and only a water change a a few new margartia snails at that time.

I do have a Candy Cane that is dropping a cap.... Could it be releasing something? (But... my hammerhead is perfect?) And my other fish are fine... (Gramma and Blenny)

Man.. some of the ings that go on in tanks are confusing...

For those about to ask for tank params.. Testing in progress.

I'll have Phos, Nitrate/trite, Ammon,pH, alk shortly.

 

[ghotiFL]

Vid Cap... Best I can do... Test results soon.

 

[ghotiFL]

PO4 = .1 to .2 Sort of in between..
Nitrate= Just detectable.. < 10mg / Liter
Nitrate= 0
Ammon = .2 or less...
pH = 8
Alk= 6 (not that good.. ) Must be new salt....
Current Temp 81F

Max temp (48 hours) 84.2F
Min Temp (48 hours) 80.8F

Skimmer working fine.. about 1/4 cup medium nasty per day.

Nothing else has fallen off the BTA since I got home.. Its foot looks fine, and the clowns are defending it, but no harassing it.

Fresh bucket (5g) of water mixing and heating now. Going to dose w/ kalk to raise Alk.

 

[ratimpulse]

My very small GBTA did this when he first came into my tank and know hes fine. But i am no way an expert on them. If hes still feeding and everything i would say hes fine.

 

[ghotiFL]

Just noticed it.. Will try feeding. almost dinner time for the tank anyhow...

It's on the move now slightly too.. won't be changing water til later though..

 

[ghotiFL]

Ok... It didn't take food... (about 1/3 in of silverside) It's hiding under its rock where it usually goes every night.

Crossing my fingers, and turning out the light. Hopefully I'll wake up to a recovering BTA with happy clowns.

 

[MRinCC]

is that a hammer next to it? did it get stung??

 

[stykthyn]

try and move it away from the coral. Hammers and frogspawns put out chemicals and have sweeper tentacles that are harmful to anemones and other corals. especially when they are stressed from acclimation

 

[ghotiFL]

Normally it is 8 - 10 inches clear of any other coral.

And... Everything has been in this tank in this configuration for almost 3 months. That pic was with one rock moved so you could see the BTA.

The melted side is actually on the side away from any other coral.

On the stress note, could a candy cane put out harmful stuff?

 

[ReefRacer]

84 degrees would be a little warm IMO. I have seen 4 degree swings in my tank and it seems ok.

 

[rrome]

I think it is too close to that other creature.

Keep an eye on it, but I would not freak out yet

 

[dandydan]

I would say your tank parameters are rubbish, and I wouldnt have thought you should be even entertaining an anenome,
Have a look on these forums and see what readings and stability you should be aiming for.

 

[ghotiFL]

Well.. It hid in its usual location all day today.. It hasn't dropped anymore tentacles... New water test better than last.. Still going to do another 15% change tomorrow when I have more time.

If it gets any worse, I'm pulling the one thing I think it might be. If it has stabilized, I'm just going to do 3 or 4 water changes over the next 2 weeks.

Nothing else in the tank is showing any signs of stress.

 

[dandydan]

ghotiFL
Sorry about the Dan the Man post,
absolutely no need for it to sound like it did,
I have now banished my 40 year old son from using my profile,
and told him people come on here for help and advice, I also reminded him of his tanks readings and losses when he stopped water changes and checking readings with a heavy bio load.

 

[ghotiFL]

heh.. No problem.. But let him know that this tank has been running as is w/ no issues in my possession for almost a year.

I'm still holding my breath.. Nothing was floating this morning.. My mushrooms seem shrivled a little, but they look like that almost every morning.