Forcing an anemone to move

[Dmitry]

So, my RBTA is probably bleaching. It moved itself to the very bottom of the tank as soon as I put it into the tank near the top, and stretches its foot to get more light. And her color is fading, fast. Just grabbing it and moving it myself isn't really an option; her foot is behind a few very large rocks at the very bottom of my structure. I know in theory anemones move where they're good and happy. But this one doesn't seem to be doing that! How can I force it to move further up in the tank? If I cover light from it altogether - can I assume she'll start moving somewhere to get it??

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

You could point a powerhead at it but it may dig in deeper behind those rocks unless you could get a PH directed at it's foot

 

[aaron]

Be careful you dont make it let go, then it floats around the tank and gets sucked into the intake of a powerhead - I learned that lesson the hard way.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

what aaron said.

i've heard many theories like:

-pointing PH @ foot

-hanging anemone upside down so the foot is out of the water

-placing ice by it's foot(don't know how safe this is)

be very very careful when attempting any of these procedures. i am just listing stuff that i have heard. although i tried #2 and it worked for me.

 

[Dmitry]

I've tried the "ice to foot" method before (not to this anemone) and it worked pretty well. The anemones I did that to are no longer in my tank and I haven't heard from their current owners that they've been unhealthy. I'm not sure I can actually reach the foot of this one, though; it's in a very awkward position. :headache:

 

[Pedro]

I have always tickled it's foot. They eventually let go. Might take a while though. The powerhead method works, but it will simply move. You would still have to get it to release.

 

[nanoreefer22]

If the anemone is stressed for whatever the reason may be, won't forceable moving it just move it to one spot to have it return to the bottom of the rockwork?

 

[Pedro]

Yes, Kris. I am only stating that for removal purposes. If it's stressed, we need to find the source of the problem. They are pretty smart and will move to where they are happy.

Dmitry, have you checked your water, is everything ok?

 

[nanoreefer22]

Yes, Kris. I am only stating that for removal purposes. If it's stressed, we need to find the source of the problem. They are pretty smart and will move to where they are happy.

Dmitry, have you checked your water, is everything ok?

Yup. Dmitry theres no point in adding to the stress on the RBTA with trying to get it to move. It'll most likely just end up in that spot or a similar one. Unless your planning on getting rid of it I wouldn't move it. Just let it be and try to correct whatever is wrong with the tank to make it happy.

 

[Dmitry]

I don't really know what's wrong with it. Aside from the fact that when I placed it into the tank I put it at the top. And it moved to the bottom, and has stayed there, stretching its foot as far as it can to get more light...but refusing to move further up in the tank. I have no idea why.... :banghead:

 

[thepudge]

Make sure you keep it fed until it decides to move... My rbta will hang in the shade from time to time and stays healthy as long as I give it a piece of silverside every few days.