Will this RBTA survive?

[Fliger]

I just got this RBTA this morning, the water was a little warm. There is no decay but its mouth is wide open. Last pic is his foot. I slow drop acclimated him and put him in one of those fish breeder in tank containers to keep him from floating. He is in low light, low flow.

Experts?

 

[orchidsnfish]

It might survive...I wouldn't throw it out just yet if it were me. Definately needs some TLC though. The amazing this is they can go from that to looking great in just a few hrs...It does look pretty rough in the pic though but not 100% a goner IMO.

Angela

 

[55semireef]

Looks in bad shape to me. Do you have any recent pictures of it in your tank? RBTAs like medium flow and medium to strong lighting.

 

[Fliger]

Thanks. Here were the last two shots during acclimation. His mouth closed up a bit and his tentacles inflated a touch. I will get some shots later, he is definitely looking better in the tank. I hope he makes it, this is a "Flame" RBTA from Sarwa which I probably overpaid for - but I don't see them too often so it was worth it to me.

 

[Iguana79]

Curious to see what the experts have to say. Mine does this, I have had it for about 2 weeks now. Its in the main tank with great flow (2 Korilla's #3 & Seio 160) And With tons of light (250 DE MH & 260watts Of PC Daylight) Over a 60g. One Min Looks Great! Bubble tips mouth closed tight. And once a day it looks like yours. Within a hour or so it looks Perfectly healthy. I'll be tagging along!

 

[phender]

BTAs can look pretty nasty after being shipped. Most of them recover just fine. I can tell from the deflated tentacles that it is going to be a beautiful anemone.
Good luck. Get a little current flowing over it so it doesn't sit in it own water once it is in your tank. If you have a soldering iron, you can melt some holes in the container to get more flow.

A fish breeder container isn't as good as a strawberry basket or small plastic collander. Rubber band a little styrofoam to the edges of the containers so they float.

 

[Fliger]

Thank you phender! He is doing much better now. I saw a couple threads of yours and Sarwa's and they are my favorite RBTA's. I'm glad I was able to get one. If yours ever splits and mine does too, I would love to trade for that beauty you have!

These pix are a little deceiving. The mouth is still very much gaping. But he looks 1000% better than the first pix!

 

[phender]

It does look better. If I were you I would blow a powerhead directly at one end of the container. The slits will allow just enough current to get through. Use your best judgment, but you want its tentacles moving a little.

 

[Fliger]

Very timely advice. I will put a nanostream a couple feet away and give it a nice, soft flow.

He is much better now. He is FAST. Books around the container very quick. I'd say I'm about 75% clear - still gaping a bit, but so much better.

 

[55semireef]

Beautiful anemone too.

 

[tpdpercula]

Im amazed you were able to get ahold of him about purchasing the RBTA. He wouldn't respond to anyones posts or PMs. Beautiful anemone.

 

[bluerug]

Wow is all i have to say, good luck with it.

 

[Jon770]

That's really an incredible anemone...worth every penny i'd say.

 

[Fliger]

Just an update. My stupid camera washes out the yellow/orange. I'll see if I can get a good clean pic.

When I heard the term "Flame" I thought how stupid. But its the best way to describe it. Red body with yellow/orange tips.

Now is when I worry about him mowing over some corals and leaving skeletons in his tracks!

 

[phender]

Congradulations, you did a nice job of being patient with it. It looks great!

 

[han012]

wow that's a beaut

 

[55semireef]

Very nice. Have you tried feeding it?

 

[heuerfan]

Any updated pics, how's it doing?

 

[Genin]

congrats on the save! looks good.

 

[patej]

looking good,,,,