Rbta And Perc Question

[Harley-J]

I bought a huge RBTA beautiful and healthy from an RC member that was breaking down his tank. I decided to buy 2- False Percs. In the holding tank at the LFS.. they were always together and one was smaller...So I figured they would be a good match. In my tank they are inseparable..

Here is the problem...I know the F. Percs normally wouldnt host in a RBTA right?
But they are willing to host in my neon torch???

I cant get them out of the torch and the RBTA is a quick swim over...So I don't get it?? why the torch and not the RBTA??

Anyone know how to discourage them from hosting my torch?? I've tried scooting them along with my scraper when ever I see them..but it seems to have made them more determined to stay....even to a point of attacking my scraper!!

Any suggestions....

 

[Legacy2005]

could try arranging your tank a little. my pair of clowns hosted in my leather instead of my GBTA. redid some of the rock work and moved the leather to another part of the tank and the clowns took to the bta since they couldnt find the leather.

 

[Otto2]

I had a pair of occelaris (I think that's what a false percula is) for years that only hosted my return nozzle that was about 6" above my huge RBTA and never went in it. Also, never liked my frogspawn or torch. I got rid of them for some onyx and the first day they were buried in the anemone.

 

[a4twenty]

you already know the RBTA is not a natural host, so now you just have to get lucky. there is no way to force them to do anything, only time will tell.


good luck

 

[Harley-J]

for years that only hosted my return nozzle that was about 6" above my huge RBTA

LOL now I don't feel so bad!!

you already know the RBTA is not a natural host, so now you just have to get lucky. there is no way to force them to do anything, only time will tell.

Yeah I just think it is ironic that nether is a natural host, torch or RBTA yet presented with 2 choices they pick the torch...doh...

Lets hope I get lucky...maybe constantly moving the torch around?? like a hide and go seek??

 

[mille239]

Can you remove the torch? say put it in your sump for a day or so? They will do fine without light for a short spell...

 

[Lmecher]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14434317#post14434317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mille239
Can you remove the torch? say put it in your sump for a day or so? They will do fine without light for a short spell...

That is what I was going to suggest. I feel for you, I had a pair of ocellaris that hosted a hairy mushroom, ignoring the bta for a year. I got a new tank and placed them w/ all the tank contents in a large rubbermaid tub, within minutes they were in the bta, I couldn't believe it. Go figure, maybe they were scared and couldn't find their mushroom.

 

[Harley-J]

I was thinking of moving the torch down to the sump...but I was more afraid of loosing it without proper lighting... Maybe I will put it down there for a couple of days and monitor its condition...hopefully they will find the RBTA and want to host...
Thanks

 

[mille239]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14435380#post14435380 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Harley-J
I was thinking of moving the torch down to the sump...but I was more afraid of loosing it without proper lighting... Maybe I will put it down there for a couple of days and monitor its condition...hopefully they will find the RBTA and want to host...
Thanks

Should be fine... There are many times on the reef when the sun doesn't come out for a few days, and life goes on. just keep an eye on the torch in the sump. While your torch is on 'vacation', using a baster, or tongs to feed your clowns around the 'proximity' of the RBTA couldn't hurt!

good luck.

 

[Harley-J]

Really appreciate the feedback...Well lets see how this goes and I will update!!

 

[nnahler]

You haven't updated!! Did you have any luck getting them to host? I have seen some people use a strawberry basket, placing that over the coral they don't want the clowns to host, but I am not sure how that works.