Is this normal behavior?

[ShrimpFan]

Hey folks,
So I was going to be passing the anemone on if I could get him off the rock he's in, but he appears to have nested himself in an alcove that actually is two different rocks. I don't want to tear his foot when I try to get him off, but he's proving difficult to extract. He'll come out for a little while, bask in the lighting, and then retreat to the alcove again. Really odd, but I wanted to get ya'll's input.

Thanks,
Aaron

[Mr Cob]

I have a neon green BTA anemone that does the same...actually mine barely comes out. I have had him for about 5 months and he's growing and has never moved.

I also have a RBTA and he is out all day long...actually, he mounted his foot on the underside of a large cap and has been slowly killing it over the last few months.

What kind of lighting do you have...tell us more about your system so we can first make sure there's no contributing factors to this behavior.

[allan]

I recently re-worked my rock a bit and one of my BTAs had to be moved to the bottom of the tank until I was finished. That was when I realized he was attached to two different dead coral LR pieces. Rather than managing that into its old location I left him on the sand bed. He's been there about two weeks now.

Love anemones, but I hate trying to move them. If ever given the choice I leave them where they're at and when they're on the prowl I move other things out of its way.

[ShrimpFan]

Hmm..I may just leave him then. He's moving all over the place. It's kinda funny. He's crawled in and out of one particular holey rock, and is currently mounted on the right side of the tank pic I've attached. Think I may just try to find a good food for him when I go to the LFS today as he doesn't seem to bothered by the limited lighting right now, and I don't want to damage him by trying to remove him from where he seems to be happy. I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

Aaron

[allan]

Dude, this just my personal experience (I'm a newby) but with my BTAs I've noticed differing reaction to feeding that I'd like to share with you. I think in the end you will have to make up your own feeding habits and food choices, but these are my experiences.

When I feed the mysis or tiny chunks of food for the fish... I used to jet (gently) a baster full of foodstuff to the BTAs. They would then shrink and look all shrivelled up while getting the food into their maws.

Now when I feed a single chunk (I cut a large scallop three ways, one being decidedly smaller than the other two) to them, they gobble it up (probably before the skunks can eat too much of it) and presto a moment later they are expanded and enjoying the artificial sunlight I paid so much for. So this morning (I've been feeding them the scallop and shrimp bits for a few months now) while feeding the LPS nightwalkers I decided to feed BTA1 a single jet of particulate matter for their enjoyment. Now BTA1 is all shriveled up and digesting its food.

I don't know what the creature is thinking but if its appearance is any indication as to its disposition I would argue that they prefer their meals much like I like mine. A good solid steak as opposed to a bunch of little bits on a skewer.

Others have way more experience in dealing with these guys than I do so if anyone of them chimes in I would listen to them over what I've just typed up.

Additionally, if you go my route (see above) be sure you take into account the nutritional values needed by the anemone as opposed to just giving it the same thing over and again.

I think (remember newby here) that your bta looks good and with astute care on your part he/she will pull through nicely.

[Bill S]

I almost never directly feed my RBTAs. They grow and split regularly.

I've found that most of what a BTA is fed, ends up back in the tank when they "poop". To me, kinda like a dead fish in the tank every few days.

[allan]

I almost never directly feed my RBTAs. They grow and split regularly.

I've found that most of what a BTA is fed, ends up back in the tank when they "poop". To me, kinda like a dead fish in the tank every few days.

Hmmm, that could be what's contributing to my algae problem. :blushing: