Shriveled BTA

[Mihai]

My BTA looks bad today. It didn't look great in the last one-two weeks
(I think I placed it too close to a devil's hand). However, today it
suddenly looked much worse than usual. The only significant
thing that happened lately was that my clowns took on the BTA - about
10 days ago. They sleep in it and all. I heard that a BTA would be
happier with the clowns in it.

Water parameters: Nitrates 0, PO4 0.1ppm, Alk 6.4, Ca 450, pH 8.2,
nothing is out of the normal

Light - about 11" under the water surface (250W DE 14K Hamiltons).

I hope that it will recover as the clowns hosting in it are an awesome
sight - the thing is that I don't know what is the problem...

I don't really think that it's the devils hand - it's about 3" away
from it, I think that it was that close to it before and didn't
care...

Any ideas are appreciated,
Mihai

 

[Len]

It looks as if it's exchanging water within its vascular sacs. Seems your clowns somehow triggered this response. I'd watch it some more; If I was a betting man (and I am ), I'd bet it'll bounce back by the end of the month. If it worsens, you should consider removing the clowns.

 

[Ben1]

It does not appear to be torn or ripping apart at all. I would think it looks generally stressed. Maybe the temp spiked a bit this week?

I do agree with Len that it should bounce back.

 

[superfiend1313]

have you fed it since its been in your tank? I have had BTA look just like that and before i know it poof dead. Boy do they stink. Try feeding it some liquid food. May give it the boost it needs.
Dan

 

[Juck]

Try feeding it some liquid food.

How do you feed an anemone liquid food?

 

[superfiend1313]

Micro-Vert in a syringe or a turkey baster. Thats what i use to feed my corals and inverts.
dan

 

[superfiend1313]

Give a squirt near the anemone not directly in it.
dan

 

[bradl.]

Trying to feed isnt a bad idea really.Id probably try a piece of raw shrimp no bigger than a lima bean.

 

[Juck]

Give a squirt near the anemone not directly in it.

Might as well squirt it down the toilet,,, the anemone isn't going to suck it in as it goes past.

 

[Anonymous]

Give a squirt near the anemone not directly in it.

Might as well squirt it down the toilet,,, the anemone isn't going to suck it in as it goes past.

You got that right Juck :lol:

Mihai try feeding some shrimp like bradl suggested. You could even soak it in some selcon to be on the safe side. But I believe that Len hit it right on.

 

[SnowManSnow]

I have a BTA that has been like that for months now... and it all started when my clown took to it. I think the clown was just too much fish for the size of my BTA, and it is just pestering it to death. I'm thinking of trying to get my clown to host somthing else (which CAN BE DONE!) so it will let my BTA bounce back. The good news is though, from what I've found and observed, that BTA's are fairly hardy little guys!

Good luck with him!

B.

 

[Anonymous]

Light - about 11" under the water surface (250W DE 14K Hamiltons).

could it be that it is being electrocuted?

 

[Anonymous]

ct????
Wake up, that's not where the light is placed, that's where the anenome is placed. Although, I can see where you got the idea.

 

[Juck]

lol,, I think he was kidding Knowse. (at least I hope so)

 

[Mihai]

I tried to feed it, but my clowns got the shrimp (again, they were supposed to bring it to the BTA, not take it away??!!). However, it looks (much) better than yesterday, whatever it was it looks like is no more. It's not fully back, but I'd say 70%.

Thanks a bunch,
M.

 

[Anonymous]

When feeding it, keep the clowns away if possible..this is how i use to do it..My RBTA wouldnt eat and eventually died..grrr..I wasnt too thrilled, nonetheless when i was making attempts to feed it, i would have to chase the clowns away from it...my Flower anemone eats rather fast and the clowns dont really go near the Flower anemone (as it isnt a hosting type of anemone)

 

[Anonymous]

ct????
Wake up, that's not where the light is placed, that's where the anenome is placed. Although, I can see where you got the idea.

silly, of course i KNEW what was meant, the way it was worded could be taken another way. My feeble attempt at droll humor lol
Too much seinfeld back in the day i guess

 

[Mihai]

When feeding it, keep the clowns away if possible...

.
I failed miserably - they won in the end and got the shrimp. However, the good news is that the BTA is basically 100% back. I don't know what it was: as far as I know I didn't do anything either way. At some point I was thinking that maybe it splits, but it didn't.

All the best,
M.

 

[postie]

Whenever I feed anemones with clowns, I always throw in some crushed flakes....anemone gets a few along with his shrimp, but the clowns are busy trying to catch flakes too, giving the anemone time to cover up his dinner and eat.

 

[CC-Star]

Hey Mihai,

Did your anemone make it??

I am having a similar experience and I am very concerned for the rBTA.
IT was doing fine for almost a year and big...once we got the maroon it has just dimished in size and more stringy. It does not come out as big at all and just does not seem to be as bright as red. It still eats Krill (every day/or every other), still flushes itself out the odd time.

***NOTHING has changed water quality wise, or lighting etc..it has been fine for a year+, just only now once the maroon came into the picture) I dont see how that can be such a bad thing for it if that hosting is supposed to be something that is second nature to it.

I was happy to see the clown go in there but now I am so sad to see my anemone go downhill. Is it dying??

First Day the Maroon took to the BTA (3 wks ago)