Roaming Long Tentical Anemone

[Lance M.]

Oh yes it is still bleached.

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

I found these pics on the net.. I think its a good picture of a LTA ..I would have taken a picture of mine but the tank lights are off.

 

[MMM33732]

Wow, looks much different than what I found. Does look like mine though except the tentacles aren't curly.

 

[garygb]

LTA's (Macrodactyla doreensis) have a distinct column. The pics provided are excellent for showing the characteristic LTA look. And yeah, it's still bleached, but again, with your lighting and regular small feedings, you will see it regain it's color I expect. BTA's are the hardiest of the host anemones. Ideally, you will not mix it with other anemones. If you feed it and provide good conditions you can expect the anemone to get quite large and eventually (or not so eventually) clone. BTA's are host to several more species of clown fish than LTA's. It might be a good thing that you got a BTA. They are the best of the host anemones to start off with.

 

[MMM33732]

Well thats good news. I though that BTAs had more and a bubble appearance to their tentacles. Mine had a slight candle flame shape for about a day. Other than that one day, its always been just smooth tubular shaped tentacles.

Its a good size right now. when out in the open and not in between rocks and fully expanded, its roughly 6.5-7" or so.

It seems to like its spot now down on the sand/tower bases. Still hasn't moved. You can see its foot is on the rocks, and not on the sand at all. However, as mentioned earlier, it doest get tremendous light were its at. Could this be problematic or will the feedings supplement any light the towers are blocking? Id hate to clue all the corals back on the towers and have it climb up again soon.

 

[garygb]

You have two 175 watt MH on a 55-gallon tank, don't be concerned about your anemone not getting enough light. It will extend out from the rock to satisfy its needs for light. And, as far as the bulb shape to the tentacles, those come and go. There are different theories as to what causes them to bulb. I've noticed among mine that one might have bulbs and the next one straight tentacles, even though they are clones and are feed the same time and get the same lighting and water flow. One thing is generally accepted, that is that a BTA can be healthy and happy whether it has bulbs or not.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Exactly, mine BTA never had bulb tips, and it was happy and healthy for over 6 years -- recently sold it.

Until yours regains it color try to feed it more often, but small pieces -- it takes energy to eat too, so large pieces would add to its stress.