Tentacle extension- GBTA

[Faviaphile]

Hi all,

I tried the search engine but as usual it isn't working right now! So, I'm sorry if this is a question that has been asked recently.

I'm wondering what the Bubbletip's extension means. I really like the way they look when they have that bulb shape. I think I read that the tentacles stretch out if they are being deprived of light- is this true? I keep mine about 20'' directly below a 250watt 20k MH (there are two of these bulbs and a T5 unit too- plenty of wattage) and it's not as "bulby" as I like- it appears healthy otherwise- nice color, nice and big and eats a lot. I've had it for several months now and it has yet to change shape.

Will it ever look that way? It seems like a lot of people have them without that beautiful bulb shape, so I know that it is common- but is there any way to help it look more bulby? I know my params are in great shape, what else can I do?

Thanks in advance

 

[Slakker]

I believe that the tentacles bubble when they're deprived of light, and that they try to increase the surface area of their tentacles to improve their efficiency in photosynthesizing.

However, very little is know about it, so it's impossible to say for sure.

 

[redvipe2010]

I have two RBTAs in the same tank, one has chosen to stay down towards the bottom, it has bubble tips, the other has chosen to stay near the top, no bubbles. They are clones. They are in a 55g with 175 watt MH. Soon to be moving to a 75 under T-5.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

Mine bulbed when It wasent around strong flow. Once I added more flow it started stretching out.

 

[Wrench]

Mine sometimes have bubbles, other times not. It doesn't seem to be directly related to any specific condition. At one time the anemone was about 6" under the surface of the water under twin 175 MH's and the tentacles were bulbed. Sometimes they're bulbed right after I feed it, sometimes they're bulbed when it hasn't been fed for a few days. I don't think there's any real reason for it.

 

[Faviaphile]

Thank you for your responses! Sounds like it can be a bit of a hit or miss- but just for fun I'll try moving it around the tank to see if it bulbs in a differnt setting.

Thanks again

 

[Slakker]

Eh...that could be pretty stressful for it.

 

[redvipe2010]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9805418#post9805418 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Faviaphile
Thank you for your responses! Sounds like it can be a bit of a hit or miss- but just for fun I'll try moving it around the tank to see if it bulbs in a differnt setting.

Thanks again

I don't recommend that. As stated it may stress the anemone. It may not even stay where you move it to. Best to leave it alone IMO.

 

[Wrench]

Just let it do it's thing. It will go where it wants to and it will be healthier that way. Mine has been in the back of my tank where I can't see it or the Maroon Clown that hosts it. Just something I have to live with. It split and now both anemones are in the back. ****es me off.

 

[bureau13]

Yeah, don't move it. If its staying put you're lucky...they're a royal PITA when they decide to pack up and move, they don't particularly care if you have prized corals in the way.

jds