MY BTA is turning white!

[JD'sReef]

So he/she/it seams to be really happy, but some of the tips, actually it is less then an inch after the actuall tip of some of the tenticals, are turning white. It is also only happening to the actual Buble Tips (some of the tips do not look like bubles, they look like long tentical hosts).
Could it be?
- Calcium: it has been real low latley so the drip has been started again.
- MH: he is setting directly under the 174 10K MH and only about 18-20 inches away.
- Feeding: I like to feed him one silverside a week that is soaked in garlic to keep him strong.
- Adjusting: it has only been in the tank since the Superbowl (go pats), so maybe he is just getting adjusted.
- The Maroon: could she be nibbling on the tips causeing a reaction?

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Anonymous]

Many BTAs will have white tips. As long as the tips are the only thing turning white I wouldn't worry. Bubble tips are not always present and no one knows why some have,or keep, bubble tips and others do not.

Garlic is not necessary for anemones and calcium does not play much or any part in an anemone's health. More impotant is the PH, Alk, salinity, and the amount of light used(175watt MH directly over the anemone is fine).

Many times clowns nibble, or even bite off the tips of anemones. It appears that the clown may do this as a part of their settling in periods.

Keep your PH and Alk up and continue feeding her. BTW some use iodine as well. As I find that iodine helped, I do urge you to have the proper test kits prior to adding any supplements.

Good luck,

 

[JD'sReef]

Dan,
I did not really know about the Iodine, I will stop at Inland on my way home and pick some up. I am sure she is fine, but I am jsut a first time father who like to know what is going on.

 

[fungia]

i think it is normal. all the bta i have seen in captivity lose the bubble tips and the tips turn kind of pale. i think a guy called nkt has some pix of his rose bta, it is red with whitish tips and long tentacles only.

 

[Anonymous]

BTW some use iodine as well. As I find that iodine helped, I do urge you to have the proper test kits prior to adding any supplements.
Good luck,

:wink:

 

[JD'sReef]

I agree as well.
If you are going to hadd anything to your tank you need to make sure you know what and how much you are adding.

 

[ferd]

White tips are normal, don't sweat it. Most of mine have a white ring around the "bulb" and some have all white bulbs. As long as the rest of the anemone has good color, situation normal.

 

[ferd]

Here's a pic where you can see 2 of mine for reference. The actinics throw the color off a little. Some of mine don't have the bulbs as pronounced as others. Some people think it is related to feeding, but I think it is more related to how well the anemone can bury its foot. The ones that are dug in well have nice bubble tips, the ones that aren't are more elongated. They all eat roughly the same.
Hope this helps

 

[ferd]

One more pic. Notice the 2 on the left re well dug in, lots of bulbs. The 2 in the upper right are more exposed and elongated.