RBTA in mp40..Please help

[vai6921]

I just got a RBTA 3 days ago and because of the color i spent $200 on him. The color on it was really nice and last night it decided to take a trip to the mp40.

I think I could still save it because the foot is intact and about 4-8 tentacles are intact. The foot was still attached to the outside of the mp40. I tried to gently remove the foot but some of the anemone is still in the mp40. Is there anything I can do to save the little guy?:facepalm:

 

[spoonman1979]

Take the wet side and place it and the entangled anemone on the sand. The anemone will be able to pull himself out of the impeller guard, don't pry him out unless you have zero hope of his survival. I had a Ritteri that did this and he survived...

 

[vai6921]

Thanks, I will have someone go do that now. The maroon clown keeps trying to get into the pump to get to the anemone =(

 

[Ocfishguy]

That maroon clown may be a problem for the recovery of the Anemone. You might want to separate them some how.

 

[spoonman1979]

Separating the clown is good advise, the anemone will need time to recover. Also, remember to use the cover that comes with the MP 40 until you are sure the anemone is situated.

 

[vai6921]

Thanks guys, would it be better to put the anemone in a 10-20gallon until it recovers?

Also, I was going to put the cover on the mp40 but the lfs guys said not to do it because when I remove the sponge it will change the flow and the anemone will move.

Common sense told me that, that would not be true but I still listened...sigh

 

[velvetelvis]

Separating the clown is good advise, the anemone will need time to recover. Also, remember to use the cover that comes with the MP 40 until you are sure the anemone is situated.

+1 I would just leave the powerhead covered. You can buy a couple so they can be switched out for rinsing. Since BTAs are bad to wander until they've settled in (or if something changes that doesn't suit them), it's always safest to keep anything with moving parts covered at all times.

 

[cet98]

+1 I would just leave the powerhead covered. You can buy a couple so they can be switched out for rinsing. Since BTAs are bad to wander until they've settled in (or if something changes that doesn't suit them), it's always safest to keep anything with moving parts covered at all times.

:thumbsup:

 

[HumbleFish]

Thanks guys, would it be better to put the anemone in a 10-20gallon until it recovers?

I had something similar happen, and what I did is put the anemone in an acclimation box near the top. It seemed to benefit from being closer to the light and this also kept the clown away. I was also able to target feed it more easily.

This may not be a good idea though if you run intensive lighting (i.e. MHs). Also, be sure you're getting adequate flow thru the box.

 

[cet98]

I had something similar happen, and what I did is put the anemone in an acclimation box near the top. It seemed to benefit from being closer to the light and this also kept the clown away. I was also able to target feed it more easily.

This may not be a good idea though if you run intensive lighting (i.e. MHs). Also, be sure you're getting adequate flow thru the box.

good idea...if light is an issue, just place some window screen material above the box to reduce the intensity

 

[jr7168]

thats funny and unfortunate i have a LTA that does same thing heads towards my mp10's

 

[vai6921]

Ahh I have a 2.5 gallon acrylic box I constructed which I used to use for breeding red cherry shrimp. I think I can make some slits and holes in it and attach it with a magnet near the top of the tank. I use Radio Pros so I will lower the intensity a bit if anything.

I'm now trying to find much more colorful variants of the bubble tip so that just in case this one does not survive, I want a much more "rare" coloration. Anyone have any suggestions on where I can find a sunburst, or other type of bubble tip anemone?

 

[Ocfishguy]

Thanks guys, would it be better to put the anemone in a 10-20gallon until it recovers?QUOTE]

If the 10-20 gallon tank is established and has good lighting then that would be a good option.

 

[vai6921]

Nope not established, it's currently empty. I can always take the water from my main tanks? Barebottom with rock?

I have a few cree diy leds I've made and have used in the past which I can use for the 10 or 20g. What do you think?

 

[vai6921]

Is there anything I should feed the anemone which will help it heal up faster or is there any solution I can add to the water?

 

[D-Nak]

This is all very good advice. I had my gigantea wander into my MP40, twice. The second time I had the foam cover on it and it still managed to get sucked in. Not that it can actually think, but I think it knows better now.

As mentioned, you can buy a 3 packs of foam covers. I keep two clean and replace the dirty one every few days, and soak it in a vinegar solution. Definitely keep the cover on at all times. In terms of the flow changing, the covers to change the flow pattern, especially when they get dirty, just keep on top of swapping them out. I think it's the price we need to pay to have MP10/40/60s in our tanks with rock dwelling anemones.

In terms of removing the anemone, I would try to remove it from the MP40. It may have a hard time getting itself untangled, and removing it may actually speed up the healing process. IME BTAs are bullet-proof and can take a beating (color or morph doesn't matter) but getting it away from the MP40 should be a top priority.

Instead of setting up a qt tank, I would just use the container within the DT as proposed -- this way the water parameters will remain consistent.

 

[D-Nak]

Is there anything I should feed the anemone which will help it heal up faster or is there any solution I can add to the water?

I would not feed it so it a can focus all of its energy on healing. Assuming its zoox population is still healthy, it won't need to be fed. You can add iodine if you like, but its ability to help anemones is anecdotal. It is however, proven to be a disinfectant (not sure how this applies in an aquarium setting).

 

[cet98]

i agree with not attempting to feed it...are you sure there is even a full mouth?
I think its best to isolate it and observe until it shows signs of a fully round functioning mouth.

all the best with its recovery and please keep us posted...maybe some pix to show progress?

 

[Leena2674]

The best luck I have ever had with keeping a bubble tip in one place was putting it in an appropriate-sized flower pot. (One of the standard terra-cotta pots you can pick up anywhere.) I have a watermelon BTA that wandered into one of my Koralias. His foot was intact, only the tentacles were damaged. I removed him from the powerhead, and placed him in the pot. He hasn't wandered since and is doing very well. I didn't have any issues with my pair of Maroons interfering with his recovery.

When I worked at a LFS, this was also how we kept BTAs in one spot so they didn't need to be pried off the rock when purchased. The flowerpot went home with the customer and depending how the pot was situated, the nem will either stay in it or wander out.

I have concerns with moving the nem to another QT tank unless there is no other option. Any change in lighting/salinity/flow/etc, etc, is likely to stress the nem more than just leaving it in the DT. My clowns won't go anywhere near a fish net, so perhaps just propping a fish net in the tank near the nem will keep them away long enough for the nem to heal. Mine were actually quite gentle with my nem while it was healing, so I didn't have any issues there.

 

[vai6921]

Thanks, I will try to put it in the diy box and see if it helps. The foot was intact and had no rips in it. It seems the tentacles were the ones that got torn up. I will take some pics when I get home. Thank you all!!!