Where did bubble tips on my RBTA go?

[Nht8134]

When I saw my RBTA at the lfs, he had beautiful bubble tips. Now, 3 weeks later, his bubble tips are gone and the tentacles are just straight. How do I get these bubble tips back?

 

[bwest]

From what I understand, as the BTAs mature, they tend to lose their bubbled tips. Maybe someone else can add onto that, or please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[TOURKID]

we all have different opinions but no one is really sure. some never lose there bubbles. some people get bubbles after a feeding or water change. some think its lighting.

I personally thinkit has to do with lighting. mine had great bubbles under pc's, i switched to 250 watts of mh and the darn thing looks like a helo fungi the tenicles are so long. havent seen a bubble in ages

 

[55semireef]

I agree with Tourkid. I think it is a lighting factor. I got a RBTA from a friend that had it under PCs. After the first week, my RBTA lost its bubbles and has longer tentacles by being under my T5s. BTW, it was bleached when I got it too so it is recovering its zooxanthellae algae within it. Take a look.

First couple of days owning RBTA:

Took this picture today right before feeding:

You can see the color difference and the tentacle length difference. BTAs that lose their bubble tips isn't because its declining in health. Don't worry about it too much.

 

[TOURKID]

heehee i got a before and after too!

the day i got it

a few months ago

 

[55semireef]

They are fascinating organisms.