Overfeeding my RBTA anemone?

skeeter-doc · 07/27/2006, 09:37 AM

Is it possible to overfeed them? I feed my RBTA about 3-4 thawed popcorn shrimp 4-5 days a week, and I figure, as long as it keep taking them, I will keep feeding it. It has grown massive in size, and simply refuses to split, oh well. I have had it for over 2 years now, and it has always seemed fine, so why complain about a good thing, right? Any comments are welcome!

JahReefster · 07/27/2006, 11:40 AM

I've read elsewhere that you can do a massive water change after feeding heavily for a few weeks to stimulate a split, if that's what you want. I believe by "massive" it was 30 to 40 percent, if I remember correctly. Better doublecheck me to be sure before taking the plunge.

Amphiprion · 07/27/2006, 11:44 AM

If it isn't egesting any substantial quantities of food and never seems to react negatively, then most likely, it isn't a problem. Stress could induce a split, but I do not really like creating stressors to begin with.

skeeter-doc · 07/27/2006, 12:40 PM

yes I have been feeding it nicely without any coming back up, so to speak, so I figure it is happy. I also do not so normal water changes, i.e. 30-50% like every 4-6 weeks, and never had a split. That is all just my routine, not wanting to stress it out at all, just what I do, ...

skeeter-doc · 08/01/2006, 05:31 PM

DO you think it is better to feed ALOT like 2 times a week, or a little bit like 3-4 times a week? Any thoughts?

traveller7 · 08/01/2006, 07:15 PM

A little 3-4 times is better then larger feedings.

A smaller meal is much less likely to trigger regurgitation.
Much less mess if it does decide to choke it up.

skeeter-doc · 08/01/2006, 09:11 PM

thanks that is a good point, anyone else?

dantodd · 08/01/2006, 09:32 PM

You won't find many folks here who disagree with Scott! I would try some other food too though. I would also try silversides.

skeeter-doc · 08/02/2006, 07:17 AM

yes I hada been giving it silversides for a long time, but I ran out, lol, so now I feed small thawed popcorn shrimp soaked in selcon and it eats them vigorously. I have always heard ppl feeding them silversides, but I always read that BTA's are more crustacean eaters more-so than fish eaters, ...

07/27/2006, 09:37 AM	#1
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	Overfeeding my RBTA anemone? Is it possible to overfeed them? I feed my RBTA about 3-4 thawed popcorn shrimp 4-5 days a week, and I figure, as long as it keep taking them, I will keep feeding it. It has grown massive in size, and simply refuses to split, oh well. I have had it for over 2 years now, and it has always seemed fine, so why complain about a good thing, right? Any comments are welcome!

07/27/2006, 11:40 AM	#2
JahReefster Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 268	I've read elsewhere that you can do a massive water change after feeding heavily for a few weeks to stimulate a split, if that's what you want. I believe by "massive" it was 30 to 40 percent, if I remember correctly. Better doublecheck me to be sure before taking the plunge. __________________ Fred Current Tank Info: 90 gal Oceanic bowfront w/20 gal sump/refugium; Euroreef skimmer, 2 150 watt 10k metal halides

07/27/2006, 11:44 AM	#3
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	If it isn't egesting any substantial quantities of food and never seems to react negatively, then most likely, it isn't a problem. Stress could induce a split, but I do not really like creating stressors to begin with. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

08/01/2006, 07:15 PM	#6
traveller7 Time to get back in? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 9,441	A little 3-4 times is better then larger feedings. A smaller meal is much less likely to trigger regurgitation. Much less mess if it does decide to choke it up. __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: Glass 2.5's

08/01/2006, 09:32 PM	#8
dantodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: San Carlos, CA Posts: 2,546	You won't find many folks here who disagree with Scott! I would try some other food too though. I would also try silversides. __________________ collecting donations to build tanks for special needs kids. PM for more information. Current Tank Info: 10 gal nano-reef 96w PC -- 72 bowfront anemone/A. clarkii tank - 20L reef with mantis and A. melanopus

07/27/2006, 12:40 PM	#4
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	yes I have been feeding it nicely without any coming back up, so to speak, so I figure it is happy. I also do not so normal water changes, i.e. 30-50% like every 4-6 weeks, and never had a split. That is all just my routine, not wanting to stress it out at all, just what I do, ...

08/01/2006, 05:31 PM	#5
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	DO you think it is better to feed ALOT like 2 times a week, or a little bit like 3-4 times a week? Any thoughts?

08/01/2006, 09:11 PM	#7
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	thanks that is a good point, anyone else?

08/02/2006, 07:17 AM	#9
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	yes I hada been giving it silversides for a long time, but I ran out, lol, so now I feed small thawed popcorn shrimp soaked in selcon and it eats them vigorously. I have always heard ppl feeding them silversides, but I always read that BTA's are more crustacean eaters more-so than fish eaters, ...