Thoughts On BTA Coloration

[Anemone]

So, I got a BTA from another RC member (thanks Lawrence) that was a light, neon green when I got it. The other person had it in his tank (under MH, I believe) for a while, and the color was stable.

After a few weeks in my RBTA-infested tank (under VHO lighting with fairly old bulbs), the BTA began to darken into a more normal looking GBTA, although it had quite a bit of what I've heard called "frosting."

Now, several months later, it appears to be adding a pink or orange hue to its color.

The nem in question is front and center in this iPhone pic I just took of my tank. The color is shifted to blue, unfortunately.



Here's a closer shot, with flash, to help give a better idea of its true color:



So, where will this BTA end up, color-wise?

Kevin

 

[OrionN]

That color

 

[REEForBANG]

This has also happened to me in the passed I had bought a maroon looking bta under t8's at the lfs took it home under 2x250w 20k halide and 2x96w actinics during this process it had bleeched out then colored up 3 months later coloring into a rainbow bta still have it to this very day and has split several time and never went to its original maroon color

 

[OrionN]

Anemones and corals colors are highly dependent on their environment. There are two conditions that will cause the population of zooxanthellae to increase in anemones or corals with corresponding darken of the color. Higher nutrients in the water and lower light. These factors cause a colorful SPS to brown out. Also increase in light intensity often bring out more color in the animals that are not associated with zooxanthellae.

Anemone, I think your anemone just got darken with decrease light level thus lost it neon green due to the combination of increase Zooxanthellae which masked the color and decrease in pigment both due to lower light level. I think the color shift is likely due to the VHO spectrum. It is likely that the color that you see is due to the VHO light spectrum. IME, VHO often impart color that is not apparent or not present on the animal under other light condition.

REEForBANG, your anemone just got lighten with increase light. The color will not be masked by the color of the zooxanthellae when the density of the is low. Also higher light will cause the anemone to be more colorful.

 

[Rippinfrags]

Anemone- I have btas under LEDs and they seem to have slightly changed color over time as well. Some of the Color changes have been pretty crazy. I don't want to take over your thread. Let me know if you would like me to show some examples? thanks for sharing.

 

[Anemone]

Anemone- I have btas under LEDs and they seem to have slightly changed color over time as well. Some of the Color changes have been pretty crazy. I don't want to take over your thread. Let me know if you would like me to show some examples? thanks for sharing.

Sure, share away. That's what this thread is about - color-changing BTAs.

Kevin