So after reading about a lemon drop anemone I ran across a post about BTAs from different colors all eventually turning to the same color because they exchange algae. Now I have had my flamethrower and RBTA for about 2 years now and they show no sign of doing so. Also Moberts anemones havent changed to the same color and I know she has had hers a long time. So I am calling BS but wanted to make sure.
Truth or Myth??
- Thread starter kkiel02
- Start date
Reefman29
New member
I think it can happen. It depends on the lights and stress. Also some importers (don't know who) will dye corals and anemones a more intense color to make it look good, but the dye eventually leaves slowly and the coral or anemone returns to its normal color if hasn't died from the stress.
WaffleWalffle22
Zoa Extreemist
It technically can happen since the anemones expel their zooxanthalle ever so often, and if another is near by it might pick it up. =)
So I'm un-calling your BS. XD
So I'm un-calling your BS. XD
WaffleWalffle22
Zoa Extreemist
Oh... I always thought zooxanthalle was the color. =/
Thanks for clearing that up though. =)
Thanks for clearing that up though. =)
BonsaiNut
Premium Member
Under the heading of "too much information" I will add a little more info 
Zooxanthellae is actually another name for "endosymbiotic dinoflagellate algae". So if you have ever had brown dinoflagellate in your reef tank, you know what the brown stuff is on the inside of a healthy anemone. There has recently been a lot of research on zooxanthellae, because it turns out that zooxanthellae provides an additional benefit to its host anemone other than a nutritive one - it protects the anemone from excessive UVR (important in this day and age of global warming and coral bleaching).
Zooxanthellae is actually another name for "endosymbiotic dinoflagellate algae". So if you have ever had brown dinoflagellate in your reef tank, you know what the brown stuff is on the inside of a healthy anemone. There has recently been a lot of research on zooxanthellae, because it turns out that zooxanthellae provides an additional benefit to its host anemone other than a nutritive one - it protects the anemone from excessive UVR (important in this day and age of global warming and coral bleaching).
phender
Active member
Along with zooxanthellae, the colorful pigments in the BTA's also protect against harmful sun rays. It is possible for those pigments to fade or become more intense based on lighting and other tank conditions. Some of the pigments may be based on chemicals that are not provided in your tank and so they fade over time. Also realize that when you buy a BTA they are usually not fully expanded, which causes their pigments to be more condensed and appear brighter. After they are in your tank for a while they fully expand and gain back more of their symbiotic algae. Sometimes that bright red or green that you fell in love with, becomes only a haze over the top of the brown zooxanthellae.
Sometimes you get lucky and even after they change, they are still pretty. If had this one for 4 years. Sorry for the crappy pics. I have a tough time catching the vibrance of BTAs on film, especially since I just cleaned the glass for this pic and the water was still a little hazy.
Sometimes you get lucky and even after they change, they are still pretty. If had this one for 4 years. Sorry for the crappy pics. I have a tough time catching the vibrance of BTAs on film, especially since I just cleaned the glass for this pic and the water was still a little hazy.
phender
Active member
That is an Akindynos (Barrier Reef Clown)
