BTA Help

[Ltspd]

I need some help with my BTA. I have had it for about 4 months and up until 2 weeks ago is stayed in the same spot. This was about 1/2 down of a 27" high tank almost directly under a 250w HQI. The BTA didnt seem to be health IMO and I decided it may need stronger light. So I moved the Anemone up to about 3/4 high in the tank, once again under a 250w halide. The BTA almost imediatly looked healthier and ever thing seemed great.

All of a sudden yesterday the BTA came loose from his spot and begin moving/drifting around the tank. I set the anemone back in its spot and once again today its on the move with clown in tow.

What's going on?

BTA is feed 3-5 x a week
The tips once it was moved filled up and the coloration is great.

[Ninong]

If it moved, it doesn't like the spot you selected for it for any of a number of reasons. Was it able to conceal its foot in a rock crevice or under a rocky overhang? They like their foot and lower column to be in the shade.

Ninong

[Ltspd]

No, it was in full light.

Curious why it all of sudden let loose after looking so good in that spot. Like I said it had been there for several weeks.

Guess I will try it somewhere else and see if it stays.

[GregD]

LTSPD,

I think Ninong is on the right track here. IME, BTA's like to attach at a place where sand meets rock.

I too had a BTA that was at the bottom of a deep tank. When I moved it "up" it definitely looked healthier, however it wouldn't stay put and secure until I made a little bed of sand in the top of one of the live-rock formations.

While it's not aesthetically pleasing a friend of mine cut up a small tupperware container to create a place to make a sand base that was elevated in hist tank (didn't have a live-rock formation that had enough of a basin). This worked for him, but I wouldn't do this in a display tank.

HTH,
Greg D

[Ltspd]

I will try adding a scoop of sand to the LR. It is sort of cupped out and I should be able to place a small amount of sand there. Its worth a try

[Ninong]

Originally posted by GregD:

I think Ninong is on the right track here. IME, BTA's like to attach at a place where sand meets rock.

The reason that you observed that is because that is where it was able to get under the rock to hide its foot from the light. The important thing here is not really the sand but the ability for it to get its foot either under some rock or into a rock crevice. Entacmaea quadricolor is not a sand dweller like some of the other host anemones, but rather is found on the rocks in nature, usually with its foot stuck in a small cave or under a rocky overhang.

Paul, almost any spot in your tank will provide sufficient light for this species, especially since you are feeding it regularly. And I know you have a lot of current flow through your entire tank. Perhaps you could arrange a spot where it could have its foot and lower portion of the column in the shade while exposing the rest of itself to moderately strong water movement and bright light.

Ninong

[Aragorn]

Well,
Ninong you are correct. In fact, that's exactly what my BTA did when I placed it in my tank. The little guy found a little overhang w/ a hole and promptly took up residence right there. Hasn't moved since. Seems to like it. Here's a pic:

[GregD]

Ninong,

Actually I don't think you are correct about the situation I observed in my tank. The rock that my BTA secured did not curl up over the sand. It was actually level with the sand like....

***
------\ * sand
rock --------------------
Where * is the BTA

I agree that BTA's do not require a complete sandy point to anchor such as a Doreensis for example. My BTA (whether at the top of my tank or bottom) liked it's foot half on rock and half under the sand where the rock joined. So in this case the shade did not come from being under the rock, but instead under the sand, attached to a rock.

Not trying to split hairs...just making the point here that an overhang is not necessary...as long as the foot is shaded (by rock, by sand or by a combination of both).

Greg D

[Ninong]

GregD,

Your point about the important thing being that the foot is shaded is absolutely correct. That's what counts. It's just that I didn't want Paul to think it was necessary to create a beach somewhere high up on his rock structure for his BTA to feel at home.

Ninong

[Ltspd]

So far so good. I arranged a pc of LR where the "new" spot is so to allow the foot to be shaded. Seems to like it.

All I know is that when I put on my glove to handle the anemone the clown goes wild. Starts pecking my arm as soon as it hits the tank

Thanks for the help

[bongobrian]

I may be wrong about this, but I've heard that this kind of behavior often happens before the anemone is about to split (reproduce asexually). I know a couple people that had anemones do this.

[karun]

I had a BTA that kept moving to the back of the tank. I would repeatedly move the rock in which it settled to the front so that I could see it better and it would move to another rock. They seem to have clear preference for their location which may be a combination of light, water current and good foot hold.

You may be better off letting it find it's own place.

Karun