RBTA question concerning the mouth

[FishAreFriends2]

I just picked up a healthy rbta from a friend, he has had it for months. when it was in his tank the mouth was shut tight but when I brought it home and put it in my tank the mouth was wide open. This morning the mouth looked like it closed back up a bit. From what I understand a opening mouth is a bad sign. Is this something I should worry about or is this normal for anemones when you move them to other tanks. If it is normal does that mean the mouth will return to like it was when it was in my friends tank? Closed tight?

 

[garygb]

I would think it is acclimating to your tank. Are your water parameters in good shape?

 

[tangeray]

garygb is right give it time. is it under different lighting?

 

[FishAreFriends2]

how long would it take for its mouth to close back up and it was under some metal halides before and now its under a 250w metal halide.

 

[BIOCUBE UNIT]

250 MH now, what was it under before? Usually if you are going to augment the lighting on these guys, you will have to acclimate them to that amount of light. I tried my little fella under 250, and he was not happy. They do better under VHO type lighting, I think the MH is too focused for them. However, if you acclimate it, I think it will be okay. My problem was that the 250 was right directly below it, too intense. I dropped it down to the 150 w and it is much better.

 

[FishAreFriends2]

The nem came from a tank that had a 250w mh also. The mouth looks like its closing up more. but its not shut tight though. how long would it take before its fully shut tight?

 

[FishAreFriends2]

update. the mouth looks like its closing up but I still see a small gap.

Also I'd like to get a heads up for signs when a nem is not doing so hot.

 

[garygb]

If the anemone has been in one place and then starts moving around alot, that could be a sign it's not happy. If it stops extending/opening up normally for several days consecutively, that would be another sign. Once you get used to your anemone and their natural cycles, you will just know. If you do water changes regularly and maintain tank parameters, you should be fine.

 

[FishAreFriends2]

Thanks for the info gary, so even if a nem has a the mouth opened a little its no threat to its life correct? New to owning a nem so I'd like to make sure. Thanks again

 

[garygb]

Pics would be useful to see what condition the anemone is in.

 

[happyface888]

On the same boat. Mine eats, tenticals extended. Still red and not bleached. But the mouth is opened a little , its not gapping or anything bad though. Is it normal for a anemone to have its mouth opened a little? Its also under the same lights it came from.

 

[FishAreFriends2]

Sorry I don't have a good camera to take good pics. It eats and everything and looks fine but the mouth opening a little is worrying me thats all.

 

[garygb]

I wouldn't worry if all else seems fine. It is likely still acclimating to your tank. When an anemone is limp and its mouth is hanging open and it stays that way for an extended period of time, unattrached at the base, then you have a problem.

 

[happyface888]

Thats good to know gary. Thanks for sharing your experience and information. Mine is currently still sitting in its rock. Eats mysis and extends when the lights on, color still looks good. Everything is fine with it. It was just the sight of the anemone's mouth slightly open which worried me a bit. But now I know thanks again.