RTBA over-population issue
- Thread starter ComforablyNumb
- Start date
hotelbravo
Active member
Like I previously mentioned in the PM I will pay for shipping plus I will compensate you for all your troubles.
I have filed a form with USFWS in order to get permission and possibly bypass the permit part and just pay a fee... I will update if it works
I have filed a form with USFWS in order to get permission and possibly bypass the permit part and just pay a fee... I will update if it works
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ComforablyNumb
New member
I don't think I will ship them because I can't get them off the large rocks they are attached to. I tried putting a powerhead beside one and he just moved to the other side of the rock.
I have a large rock with nothing on it but 6 rtba's...I may just pull that out and leave it air dry. A previous poster said they have no nervous system, but I am open to other suggestions as to method before I do.
I have a large rock with nothing on it but 6 rtba's...I may just pull that out and leave it air dry. A previous poster said they have no nervous system, but I am open to other suggestions as to method before I do.
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TX_Punisher
New member
Try an Ice cube held on the foot. I've heard that works.
RBTA used to sell for a couple hundred, now not much. 30 - 40 bucks around the Sacramento, Ca area. I have a similar issue. Started with 1 in a 29 bio cube. 1 because 2. Grew too large for the biocube so threw together a 40 breeder during one of the dollar per gallon sale. Now I have 6. Go figure. I've heard feeding does it so I've since stopped. That is how I believe I got the first one. I've also heard stress, maybe. No idea.
In any case I'm not in the process of upgrading to a 240 which should cover me for a bit. That and Xenia
The good news is that they find a home regardless of what corals I'm keeping. Since it is mostly soft they fit in.
In any case I'm not in the process of upgrading to a 240 which should cover me for a bit. That and Xenia
The good news is that they find a home regardless of what corals I'm keeping. Since it is mostly soft they fit in.ComforablyNumb
New member
They are indeed very pretty. Could be stress that causes them to split, dunno..mine do not look very stressed. They look entirely comfortable...too comfortable for some of them now, I'm afraid. 
My one clownfish, a gold stripe maroon...is in heaven and hosts them all. She has 3 favs, but they are all hers, my hand can attest.
My one clownfish, a gold stripe maroon...is in heaven and hosts them all. She has 3 favs, but they are all hers, my hand can attest.
aznflyfisherman
New member
How do you get your btas to split, i have mine for almost 2years now n it has never split. I tried feeding it silver sides as well, but it just gets big. Any tips? Thanks...
They are indeed very pretty. Could be stress that causes them to split, dunno..mine do not look very stressed. They look entirely comfortable...too comfortable for some of them now, I'm afraid.
My one clownfish, a gold stripe maroon...is in heaven and hosts them all. She has 3 favs, but they are all hers, my hand can attest.
Your clown will bite you??
Personally I didn't want mine to split, it just did. Per my earlier message I don't believe people actually know 100% why they do that. Some say stress and it is a protective mechanism, others say from feeding, no idea.
Originally I would feed silversides but stopped after the first split. I can't say feeding it was the cause but I did read that some people didn't recommend feeding silversides specifically. Something about them struggling to digest or that it could cause some issues. So I stopped. I feed some larger pieces of shrimp but now mostly whatever they catch out of the water on their own. It seems to work and I see them catch some things.
I can't say why - so pass by me
ComforablyNumb
New member
Seems to enjoy going after my hand like a Banshee whenever close to any anemone.
Clowns are damsels and are very aggressive. Fearless actually. Especially when older.
mrhighline
New member
I've used an RO/DI icecube at the base, ****es them off and they let go ... worth a try.
ComforablyNumb
New member
Thanks, but I'd still have my original problem. I can't even give them away locally.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Gold stripe maroons are violent aggressive fish.
I know we are going down a tangent here that is counterproductive for the OP, but since people asked - I've had luck encouraging splits by feeding heavily for a few weeks, then stopping feeding completely. If a BTA is healthy and growing, this has a very high chance of resulting in a split for me. I feed typical frozen food that I'd give to average fish, nothing too gigantic.
I know we are going down a tangent here that is counterproductive for the OP, but since people asked - I've had luck encouraging splits by feeding heavily for a few weeks, then stopping feeding completely. If a BTA is healthy and growing, this has a very high chance of resulting in a split for me. I feed typical frozen food that I'd give to average fish, nothing too gigantic.
If you can take out the rock that has the nems on it and let it sit out in the open, the nems will walk right off the rock and then you can capture them and put them in a holding container. I recently did this while breaking down my larger tank, I had sat a piece of rock on some plastic while trying to transfer some things over and noticed after about 5 mins that the nems had fallen off the rock and where sitting on the plastic. Worth a shot for you anyway...
If someone is willing to pay you for them and have them shipped...why not go for it? You at least get something for them and you give someone else a chance to get something they are wanting instead of just killing them. I've seen anemones shipped in almost no water inside of tiny plastic baggies that arrive just fine.
ComforablyNumb
New member
I would certainly consider that. You are local, right?
shipping to US requires CITES permit
shipping to US requires CITES permit
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Klaus777
New member
I have been in the position where my RBTA's split and set up shop near other coral. when killing becomes the only option for me I use Aiptasia X. simply fill the syringe to the max and stick the tip into the base of the anemone like a needle. then inject all of it. the nem will let go of the rock within a few minutes.
