RBTA Advice

[MikeyNYC]

I've had this RBTA since May 07, and wanted to get some feedback on it's health. It is already split once, and continues to grow nicely. I have 110 x 4 VHO lighting, less than 1 year old. Water parameters are stable and checked bi-weekly, along with a 15%. Not spot, just pulls from the water column, etc...

May 07'

Aug 07'​

More of a pink color, with it's base being almost completely white, is this normal, is it bleaching because of the lighting?

 

[prattreef]

It is definitely bleaching. Why? Dunno, but I doubt it is the lighting. Has the temp. been high?

 

[MikeyNYC]

Temps have been in the low - mid 80's for most of the summer.

 

[prattreef]

mid '80's might have done it. I have one in a tank at my son's school where the temps got into the mid-high '80's and it looks just like yours. They are tough animals though and seem to weather adverse conditions better than most reef creatures. Does it accept food?

 

[MikeyNYC]

I haven't attempted to spot feed, just eats from the water column.

Assuming the change in color is due to high temps, can I expect to see a reversal in color over time with cooler temps on the way?

 

[prattreef]

Good question. Certainly, they can recruit zoox from the water column if a species they like is present. Is it present???? We'll both find out.

 

[DevIouS]

Why don't you feed?

 

[prattreef]

I normally don't feed either, but a bleached animal needs to get nutrition from somewhere.

 

[MikeyNYC]

Devious: Not opposed to spot feeding, just read that it wasn't necessary. I've had the RBTA for about 4 months, seen it split, so I assumed conditions were good.

Having seen a change, and this being my first anemone, I thought I would reach out for the advice.

I have been feeding my fish/interts a varied diet of frozen foods. Thawed soaked in garlic, selcon, and then drained into a net. Usually, I place the net near the anemone, so that food goes shoots it's way, but can't say for sure how much it's actually getting.

I would certainly give spot feeding a shot, what's recommended? Silversides?

Thanks, Mike

 

[Dmitry]

Give it pieces of silversides. It's doubtful that there's enough stuff floating around anyone's tank for a real feeding.

There's a good deal of debate as to whether anemones split when they're happy or stressed out, or both (though not at the same time, of course.)

 

[DevIouS]

I feed about twice a week.
Alternate pieces of Silversides, Krill & Clam meat.


Mine grew humongous 12" & split a few times in a few months.