RBTA primer?

[zachfishman]

Is their a good thread with basic care info for RBTA? I'm kinda interested in keeping one, but certainly won't be taking the plunge until I know a lot more about them.

How much light do they need? Flow? Feeding?

Most importantly, how likely is it that the RBTA will move all around my 29g looking for a "good spot" only to sting and damage all my coral?

 

[bradleym]

http://www.karensroseanemones.net/

 

[garygb]

BTAs need bright light, preferably t-5 or MH, moderate flow, feeding can range from once a month or less for some to a few times a week. The more you feed the faster they will grow. They like temps in the 78-82F range, sg around 1.025-1.026. They need liverock with a hole or cave to bury their foot and column in. As far as wandering, it all depends on how quickly they find that rock that suits them. Sometimes they will stay right where you place them from the beginning, you just have to make sure the location is to their liking. There is a good chance the anemone will wander at first. They will sting other invertebrates, probably not to death though. Also, it's important to cover powerhead intakes to prevent the anemone from wandering into the pump and being damaged.

 

[zachfishman]

Thanks. BTW, what's the probability that I could lose my 1" clown goby to a RBTA?

 

[garygb]

Zach, it's possible but not probable with a BTA. E. quadricolor are not much of a risk for eating fish, even small ones like your goby. I wouldn't say it absolutely couldn't happen though.

 

[Ohponies]

I have read that if you run Acitinics at night that limits the possibility of a fish accidentally bumping into a anemone in the dark.

 

[2Addicted]

If you have a lot of corals in a 29 gallon tank you wont be able to keep a bta. It would dominate that tank. I would only put a bta in a tank that size if it was the only thing in there.

 

[zachfishman]

If you have a lot of corals in a 29 gallon tank you wont be able to keep a bta. It would dominate that tank. I would only put a bta in a tank that size if it was the only thing in there.

GTK, the only ones I've seen in person were fairly small; never thought they attained substantial size.

 

[bues0022]

It depends on a lot of factors, but yes, they can get up to 18 inches across. Generally speaking, most seem to split before then, but then you have to worry about a clone walking around. Basically in any tank with a BTA, you run the risk of a clone walking and stinging along its way.