RBTA not eating... well eating then discarding...

[YellowDesmo998]

My RBTA took a small piece of Selcon soaked shrimp into its mouth then spit it out about 15 minutes later. Why did it do this? It looks healthy and seems to enjoy the GSM clown that's hosting in it. The piece was about the size of a pensile eraser. The RBTA is around 4" across.

Also he seems to like his placement under a small ledge of LR. I originally put him in direct light (72w PC) but he moved to the shaded area. Water flow is about the same for both locations. He only moved a few inches.

 

[Mariner]

BTA's are going to move to where they're comfortable...no stopping them. Just make sure your power head intakes are screened
Don't know why yours wouldn't take the shrimp. Maybe it doesn't like selcon. How long have you had it?
Mariner

 

[YellowDesmo998]

Less then a week. I figured he would be hungry by now as this was the first time I attempted to feed him. It took the shrimp readily and had it in his mouth within 2 minutes. The clown even left him alone while he was eating.

I'm not sure if the clown has been feeding him. I feed the fish in the tank frozen mysis shrimp.

 

[raoul]

Is it possible that it's still adjusting to the new tank. Sometimes nems won't eat until they're settled in. Agree, make sure intakes on power heads and anywhere else in the tank are covered, these guys are notorious for getting stuck in them!

You may also want to try silversides or other meaty foods (clams, scallops, krill, etc..) maybe it just doesn't like shrimp so much?

 

[zoomfish1]

How old is your PC bulb? He may have come from a tank (in-store) with more powerful lighting as they do like pretty intense lighting. Just a thought.

 

[zoomfish1]

My thoughts were slipping as I posted that. Meant that he may not be happy yet, hence, the lighting remark. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[YellowDesmo998]

The tank he was in at the LFS wasn't that well lit. The bulbs are just a few weeks old.

I fed him again today but with a piece half the size and he took it in just like before but this time he kept it. Perhaps the piece was too big the first time? His base is real big now. I’m assuming he’s digesting the shrimp. I guess I should expect some oozing some time tomorrow?


BTW: Thanks for the replies, fellas!

 

[zoomfish1]

May not "ooze" till after a few feedings. As far as size of food goes, if it's a fairly small nem, give it food about the size of a pencil eraser. That's a good starting point. You can increase the particle size as you go till it gets maxed out for him.

I feed mine 2 to 3 times a week. Not massive pieces, about 1/2" square. Its about 4" across. Not too big.

For kicks, after you feed the fish, put a couple pieces of shrimp or silverside to the clowns and see if they will feed the nem. My clarkii used to take the pieces out of my hand and feed it's nem.