RBTA problem

schnebbles · 02/21/2018, 10:15 AM

I have a RBTA that did ok (didn't bubble but did ok) until I had a very high ammonia reading (overfeeding). My tank is well established. Everything got back to normal, I switched lights to AI Prime from an Orbit Marine Pro, but people say that's not the problem - I went slow with the new lights and used acclimation mode first. It was the high ammonia that started it. I only feed every other day lately.

He was over 3" and now he's 1". I think bleached too. Anyhow, I read that he might be starving (he moved about a lot and wouldn't eat so he did go probably a month without me feeding him).

I have fed him 2x now (he's back to his original spot). Question is how often can I safely feed him? He does seem to be opening a little more since he's eaten.

I know it's not good to over feed. Is every 2-3 days gonna be way too often? I want to get him back to health but don't wanna overdo it either.

thank you!

slief · 02/21/2018, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnebbles

I have a RBTA that did ok (didn't bubble but did ok) until I had a very high ammonia reading (overfeeding). My tank is well established. Everything got back to normal, I switched lights to AI Prime from an Orbit Marine Pro, but people say that's not the problem - I went slow with the new lights and used acclimation mode first. It was the high ammonia that started it. I only feed every other day lately.

He was over 3" and now he's 1". I think bleached too. Anyhow, I read that he might be starving (he moved about a lot and wouldn't eat so he did go probably a month without me feeding him).

I have fed him 2x now (he's back to his original spot). Question is how often can I safely feed him? He does seem to be opening a little more since he's eaten.

I know it's not good to over feed. Is every 2-3 days gonna be way too often? I want to get him back to health but don't wanna overdo it either.

thank you!

What are you feeding him? BTA's are photosynthetic filter feeders. They get their nutrients from the water and typically don't need feeding. There seems to be a common theme of feeding BTA's pieces of store bought raw shrimp which does nothing but stress them and cause them to split. Target feeding with some mysis in a system that is devoid of nutrients is another story. FWIW, I've been keeping BTA's for over 20 years and never feed mine. They get their food for the water column and left overs from the fish food. One of my BTA's has been in my system for over 12 years and it's well over 2' across.

schnebbles · 02/21/2018, 10:46 AM

I give him small pieces of frozen krill. I read silver sides are bad. he did stay closed and moving for a long time so maybe he wasn't getting much during that time. You wouldn't think it would eat it if it was going to stress but what do I know about sea critters?

I was just trying to figure out what's up with him. Doesn't seem to be dying or anything. Stupid me and overfeeding making my ammonia sky rocket. Thankfully the tank let me know - I'm careful to check ammonia more now because I know my overfeeding tendencies. It's not the first time I've done it.

Uncle99 · 02/21/2018, 12:58 PM

Nems are very slow in processing solid foods we feed it.
Very small pieces, baby fingernail size, once or twice a month is OK, but as stated above, not required by the nem, maybe just fun for the hobbist.
They do best in near perfect consistent NSW parameters and strong light, with low to moderate flow available, they will adjust their position to meet their needs....

02/21/2018, 10:15 AM	#1
schnebbles Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 475	RBTA problem I have a RBTA that did ok (didn't bubble but did ok) until I had a very high ammonia reading (overfeeding). My tank is well established. Everything got back to normal, I switched lights to AI Prime from an Orbit Marine Pro, but people say that's not the problem - I went slow with the new lights and used acclimation mode first. It was the high ammonia that started it. I only feed every other day lately. He was over 3" and now he's 1". I think bleached too. Anyhow, I read that he might be starving (he moved about a lot and wouldn't eat so he did go probably a month without me feeding him). I have fed him 2x now (he's back to his original spot). Question is how often can I safely feed him? He does seem to be opening a little more since he's eaten. I know it's not good to over feed. Is every 2-3 days gonna be way too often? I want to get him back to health but don't wanna overdo it either. thank you!

02/21/2018, 10:46 AM	#3
schnebbles Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 475	I give him small pieces of frozen krill. I read silver sides are bad. he did stay closed and moving for a long time so maybe he wasn't getting much during that time. You wouldn't think it would eat it if it was going to stress but what do I know about sea critters? I was just trying to figure out what's up with him. Doesn't seem to be dying or anything. Stupid me and overfeeding making my ammonia sky rocket. Thankfully the tank let me know - I'm careful to check ammonia more now because I know my overfeeding tendencies. It's not the first time I've done it.

02/21/2018, 12:58 PM	#4
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Nems are very slow in processing solid foods we feed it. Very small pieces, baby fingernail size, once or twice a month is OK, but as stated above, not required by the nem, maybe just fun for the hobbist. They do best in near perfect consistent NSW parameters and strong light, with low to moderate flow available, they will adjust their position to meet their needs....