What is my BTA doing?

Tadashi · 09/21/2009, 10:06 PM

The BTA has been in my tank for about a week. I have noticed it will inflate its foot which causes it to flip upside down and then it would tumble around the tank until it finds a crack.

I figured my flow was too much so I turned the MP10 to its lowest setting (200 gph). I think I originally had it around 800 gph. The tank is only 16"x15"x16" (or somewhat close to that) so probably too much for its liking.

I moved the BTA back to the original position (side corner of the tank sheltered from the currents, almost a dead spot but not quite as the overflow is above) and it will sit there but not latch on to anything.

Can the BTA sense fish or a clownfish? While my clowns have not hosted the BTA, at night they will swim near it almost hovering above it. The female will push the little male into it but he swims back up to an inch hover above the BTA. It seems the BTA will rotate it's disc towards the fish. I am not sure if it is just my wishful thinking, the BTA is trying to look inviting to the clowns, or the BTA is hungry and senses a possible meal.

I was able to get it to eat and during the day the tenticles are bubbled. It looks healthy other than it does not seem to want to grab anything with its foot.

When I fed the BTA its tenticles were not sticky so it took about 20-30 min to eat the shrimp. I have experienced a carpet (very sticky both tenticles and foot), but I am not sure if I should be worried about my BTA or it is just doing its thing. Should I be doing something different?

Toddrtrex · 09/22/2009, 12:04 AM

I would be a little worried, I would expect it to be settled in by now if found the tank conditions to its liking. The last anemone I bought (( haddoni carpet )) was settled in within an hour of being in my tank, and hasn't moved an inch since I put it in the tank.

What are your parameters --- with numbers.

What lights do you have? And did you acclimate it to your lights?

njdevilsfan · 09/22/2009, 03:57 AM

i wouldnt worry bout putting it anywhere
anems are like cats they will do what they want

Tadashi · 09/22/2009, 06:09 AM

I will have to remeasure but this was as of a couple days ago before my water change.
Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates - 0
pH - 8.2
Hardness - 325
Salinity - 1.024
Temp - 81 - 84 during the day (chiller) and 80 at night (heater setting)

I did not acclimate to the lights but it went into a cave for the first day then moved to a crevice I made the mistake of moving it to a better lighted area. I should have left it but forgot it would move itself out. I now leave it to do its thing.

I suppose I could totaly turn off the MP10 if it still does not like the flow or move it to the other side. How much flow do you guys have?

Oh today is a feeding day so I will see if it will eat again.

Tadashi · 09/22/2009, 09:56 AM

It looks like the BTA has chosen a back corner and attached to the wall. He is well inflated. Although he was not interested in food. The clowns have not hosted him. They will occasionally pick at it (tenticles and mouth) but for the most part ignore it. Then again they seem to like to put everything in their mouths.

Will the tenticles become more sticky or are they normally slippery?

Should I increase the flow until the tenticles wave a bit or do they like it still?

09/21/2009, 10:06 PM	#1
Tadashi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Ft. Hood, TX, USA Posts: 2,252	What is my BTA doing? The BTA has been in my tank for about a week. I have noticed it will inflate its foot which causes it to flip upside down and then it would tumble around the tank until it finds a crack. I figured my flow was too much so I turned the MP10 to its lowest setting (200 gph). I think I originally had it around 800 gph. The tank is only 16"x15"x16" (or somewhat close to that) so probably too much for its liking. I moved the BTA back to the original position (side corner of the tank sheltered from the currents, almost a dead spot but not quite as the overflow is above) and it will sit there but not latch on to anything. Can the BTA sense fish or a clownfish? While my clowns have not hosted the BTA, at night they will swim near it almost hovering above it. The female will push the little male into it but he swims back up to an inch hover above the BTA. It seems the BTA will rotate it's disc towards the fish. I am not sure if it is just my wishful thinking, the BTA is trying to look inviting to the clowns, or the BTA is hungry and senses a possible meal. I was able to get it to eat and during the day the tenticles are bubbled. It looks healthy other than it does not seem to want to grab anything with its foot. When I fed the BTA its tenticles were not sticky so it took about 20-30 min to eat the shrimp. I have experienced a carpet (very sticky both tenticles and foot), but I am not sure if I should be worried about my BTA or it is just doing its thing. Should I be doing something different? __________________ Honey, put down the bleach and step away from the tank. I promise we will spend more quality time together. Current Tank Info: 14-gal Oceanic BioCube (see homepage link for current status)

09/22/2009, 12:04 AM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I would be a little worried, I would expect it to be settled in by now if found the tank conditions to its liking. The last anemone I bought (( haddoni carpet )) was settled in within an hour of being in my tank, and hasn't moved an inch since I put it in the tank. What are your parameters --- with numbers. What lights do you have? And did you acclimate it to your lights? __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

09/22/2009, 03:57 AM	#3
njdevilsfan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: texas Posts: 658	i wouldnt worry bout putting it anywhere anems are like cats they will do what they want __________________ SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS Current Tank Info: 210lps,75anemone,60frag,20

09/22/2009, 06:09 AM	#4
Tadashi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Ft. Hood, TX, USA Posts: 2,252	I will have to remeasure but this was as of a couple days ago before my water change. Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates - 0 pH - 8.2 Hardness - 325 Salinity - 1.024 Temp - 81 - 84 during the day (chiller) and 80 at night (heater setting) I did not acclimate to the lights but it went into a cave for the first day then moved to a crevice I made the mistake of moving it to a better lighted area. I should have left it but forgot it would move itself out. I now leave it to do its thing. I suppose I could totaly turn off the MP10 if it still does not like the flow or move it to the other side. How much flow do you guys have? Oh today is a feeding day so I will see if it will eat again. __________________ Honey, put down the bleach and step away from the tank. I promise we will spend more quality time together. Current Tank Info: 14-gal Oceanic BioCube (see homepage link for current status)

09/22/2009, 09:56 AM	#5
Tadashi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Ft. Hood, TX, USA Posts: 2,252	It looks like the BTA has chosen a back corner and attached to the wall. He is well inflated. Although he was not interested in food. The clowns have not hosted him. They will occasionally pick at it (tenticles and mouth) but for the most part ignore it. Then again they seem to like to put everything in their mouths. Will the tenticles become more sticky or are they normally slippery? Should I increase the flow until the tenticles wave a bit or do they like it still? __________________ Honey, put down the bleach and step away from the tank. I promise we will spend more quality time together. Current Tank Info: 14-gal Oceanic BioCube (see homepage link for current status)