Methods of moving a RBTA ??

toddmh · 03/11/2010, 09:30 PM

Ok my RBTA split a couple days ago and both are in the worst spot possible in my tank,they are both upside down stuck on a rock that it almost impossible to move without a major operation..

I would say fine if the looked happy in that spot,but since it split they both look horrible..I understand that one may start harming the other if they stay close to each other..

What is a good way to get them to dislodge them from their perch?

I was thinking about snaking a airline tube down to them and hit them with a blast of cold water..I do not know if this is a good idea though

Cptn Spaulding · 03/11/2010, 11:15 PM

oof no... dont do that. they shouldnt hurt each other if next to each other, at least thats my experiences with like anemones. if the rock is flat that its on, or if it is not in a crevice, i highly suggest you pry it off the rock with a fingernail. its pretty much an art but its not too hard if your rock isnt too bumpy and crevicy(??). if it isnt ideal to do that then break the piece of rock off that its on and relocate it.

RyanEG · 03/11/2010, 11:36 PM

An icecube on the foot works and so does a CAREFULLY pressed butterknife on the foot, something about the metal is displeasing to them I guess?

toddmh · 03/12/2010, 12:14 AM

thanks guys..I may just leave them alone for now..I dont want to do anything horrible

Brent Thomann · 03/12/2010, 12:15 AM

they won't harm each other from my experience. I have two or more next to each other for years now.

you can also try a small powerhead in their direction.

If it was me I would just leave them. If their not happy then they will move.

I once had one go back into my rock for months and with no light, then one day I found him nicely perched at the top of the rock.

jfl14609 · 03/12/2010, 06:06 AM

I agree mine splits alott and it normally goes into hiding and doesnt look too good for a week or so trust me is its not happy it will move

Conesus_Kid · 03/12/2010, 06:30 AM

They're genetically identical, so they won't hurt each other, either physically, or via allelopathy.

For brainless creatures, they certainly have a mind of their own, don't they!!

I wouldn't be surprised if either or both of them eventually start to make their way towards the light.

talon4x4 · 03/12/2010, 07:27 AM

I would definitely leave them to move on there own. You could move them to a spot you like, but it definitely doesn't mean they'll stay and could end up right back where they started.

Plus, as Jeff said they always look terrible after a split, they need some recovery time. After that, chances are they will head up to where the light is.

block head · 03/12/2010, 08:23 AM

i went through this a while back.i'd leave them for a while if possibile. if you have to move them, the push,poke,freeze methods did not work for me. they just caused the animal to retract and grip tighter. i used the nem's need of light to my advantage. i placed the rock so the nem had to move slightly to recieve light. if moving the rock is not possible ,a creative light source can be used for a while to encourage them to move "to the light" (a flashlight would work)

toddmh · 03/12/2010, 01:07 PM

thanks much for the advice guys,I am going to take it and leave them alone

03/11/2010, 09:30 PM	#1
toddmh Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: North Tonawanda Posts: 1,976	Methods of moving a RBTA ?? Ok my RBTA split a couple days ago and both are in the worst spot possible in my tank,they are both upside down stuck on a rock that it almost impossible to move without a major operation.. I would say fine if the looked happy in that spot,but since it split they both look horrible..I understand that one may start harming the other if they stay close to each other.. What is a good way to get them to dislodge them from their perch? I was thinking about snaking a airline tube down to them and hit them with a blast of cold water..I do not know if this is a good idea though __________________ Current Tank info:200 DD FOWLR.. 1.Powder blue tang 1.Cardinalfish 2.Maroon clowns 1.Yellow Blotch Rabbit 1.Blue Face Angel 1.Blonde Naso tang 1.Purple Tang 1.Latticed Butterfly 1.Starry Blenny

03/11/2010, 11:36 PM	#3
RyanEG Bridge burner Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cuba,NY Posts: 1,659	An icecube on the foot works and so does a CAREFULLY pressed butterknife on the foot, something about the metal is displeasing to them I guess? __________________ The best place to be is here, the best time is now ~ Bill S Preston Esq, Ted Theodore Logan ludiNano-forever lounging- April 27, 2012 Current Tank Info: sold lock stock andd barrel

03/12/2010, 12:14 AM	#4
toddmh Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: North Tonawanda Posts: 1,976	thanks guys..I may just leave them alone for now..I dont want to do anything horrible __________________ Current Tank info:200 DD FOWLR.. 1.Powder blue tang 1.Cardinalfish 2.Maroon clowns 1.Yellow Blotch Rabbit 1.Blue Face Angel 1.Blonde Naso tang 1.Purple Tang 1.Latticed Butterfly 1.Starry Blenny

03/12/2010, 06:30 AM	#7
Conesus_Kid Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Conesus, NY Posts: 3,897	They're genetically identical, so they won't hurt each other, either physically, or via allelopathy. For brainless creatures, they certainly have a mind of their own, don't they!! I wouldn't be surprised if either or both of them eventually start to make their way towards the light. __________________ Scott Friends don't give friends Kenya tree...

03/12/2010, 01:07 PM	#10
toddmh Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: North Tonawanda Posts: 1,976	thanks much for the advice guys,I am going to take it and leave them alone __________________ Current Tank info:200 DD FOWLR.. 1.Powder blue tang 1.Cardinalfish 2.Maroon clowns 1.Yellow Blotch Rabbit 1.Blue Face Angel 1.Blonde Naso tang 1.Purple Tang 1.Latticed Butterfly 1.Starry Blenny

03/11/2010, 11:15 PM	#2
Cptn Spaulding Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 598	oof no... dont do that. they shouldnt hurt each other if next to each other, at least thats my experiences with like anemones. if the rock is flat that its on, or if it is not in a crevice, i highly suggest you pry it off the rock with a fingernail. its pretty much an art but its not too hard if your rock isnt too bumpy and crevicy(??). if it isnt ideal to do that then break the piece of rock off that its on and relocate it.

03/12/2010, 12:15 AM	#5
Brent Thomann Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: T. Tonawanda, NY Posts: 1,825	they won't harm each other from my experience. I have two or more next to each other for years now. you can also try a small powerhead in their direction. If it was me I would just leave them. If their not happy then they will move. I once had one go back into my rock for months and with no light, then one day I found him nicely perched at the top of the rock.

03/12/2010, 06:06 AM	#6
jfl14609 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brockport, ny Posts: 4,940	I agree mine splits alott and it normally goes into hiding and doesnt look too good for a week or so trust me is its not happy it will move

03/12/2010, 07:27 AM	#8
talon4x4 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 1,559	I would definitely leave them to move on there own. You could move them to a spot you like, but it definitely doesn't mean they'll stay and could end up right back where they started. Plus, as Jeff said they always look terrible after a split, they need some recovery time. After that, chances are they will head up to where the light is.

03/12/2010, 08:23 AM	#9
block head Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: spencerport ny Posts: 2,619	i went through this a while back.i'd leave them for a while if possibile. if you have to move them, the push,poke,freeze methods did not work for me. they just caused the animal to retract and grip tighter. i used the nem's need of light to my advantage. i placed the rock so the nem had to move slightly to recieve light. if moving the rock is not possible ,a creative light source can be used for a while to encourage them to move "to the light" (a flashlight would work)