Help With "Sick" BTA

Colorado Coral · Nov 9, 2017

So, I am still new to the saltwater world, so i figured you guys might be able to help. I put in my first BTA probably 2 months ago. I have attached a picture from the first day I had it. It has moved around, but finally settled in. One of my clowns has taken really well to the BTA, the other clown seems like it couldn't care less. his "normal" state is the 2nd pic. So last week my BTA moved to the sand, and just shriveled up. I watched him for a day or 2, but no major changes. I have him in his own little spot now, and that is my 3rd pic.
Now, I DID notice, I had forgotten to turn my lights back up from when I bought him. That means he has been not getting enough light. I have been feeding small shrimp as well as mysis and reef chili, Although I didn't feed him for about 3 weeks.
I guess what i want to know is, anything really. What do you think his chances of coming back are? he seems to be responding better to the more intense lighting, as well as a little food. Any advice on how to give him the best chance? Any help is appreciated.

Salinity- 1.024
ph-8.3(ish)
nitrate-2
phosphate-0
ammonia-0
alk-8.6Dkh

JaimeAdams · Nov 9, 2017

Is his mouth open? Is it tightly closed, are his guts hanging out. Do you have a picture of the mouth?

I would increase your nutrients in your tank. They like some phosphate in the water and 2 nitrate is arguably too low. Pictures of the mouth would help when dealing with sick nems.

Colorado Coral · Nov 9, 2017

Here is his mouth as of today. He is a little more open. I did see a white little sack coming out the other day, but it has gone away.

Colorado Coral · Nov 9, 2017

Here is another pic. It's hard to get a great pic.

ReeferMadness80G · Nov 9, 2017

Is it eating or showing any response to food?

Colorado Coral · Nov 9, 2017

To a point yes. I have fed him some mysis shrimp, and he has opened up afterward. But, usually he does go back to his "shriveled" state after a while.

Bonfish · Nov 9, 2017

I would agree that it appears to need more light. What type of lighting are you currently using?

Colorado Coral · Nov 10, 2017

Bonfish said:
I would agree that it appears to need more light. What type of lighting are you currently using?

Currently I have 2 Rapid LED Coronas. They are on a sun cycle. On for about 9 hours total, with a mid day max output of 80%. But, before i changed that (2 days ago) It was only going to 35% max. So I think that MIGHT be the problem? I am toying with the idea of asking Santa for an Aquatic life T5 fixture as well to make sort of a hybrid. Only the LEDs for now.

Scorchx1245 · Nov 10, 2017

Looks bleached. I'm still new to BTAS but looks bleached, the tentacles so stubby also doesn't look right. If it accepts food try feeding s tiny piece of silverside right by the mouth. How old is the tank? If its not mature enough it could've of swung minuscule amount make him uncomfortable and move. I did a big overhaul of cleaning and added a chiller, new bulb, and mine is moving all over. But settled in the back of the aquarium he's 4 months old in my tank.

Colorado Coral · Nov 10, 2017

Scorchx1245 said:
Looks bleached. I'm still new to BTAS but looks bleached, the tentacles so stubby also doesn't look right. If it accepts food try feeding s tiny piece of silverside right by the mouth. How old is the tank? If its not mature enough it could've of swung minuscule amount make him uncomfortable and move. I did a big overhaul of cleaning and added a chiller, new bulb, and mine is moving all over. But settled in the back of the aquarium he's 4 months old in my tank.

Tank Has been up for a solid 6 months now. So it IS a relatively new tank. Do you think it could still bleach with such low lighting?

Bonfish · Nov 10, 2017

Typically I have seen anemones start to become transparent when they are not receiving enough light the bubble tips tend to shrink as well. I have had mine in all sorts of lighting high and low in the aquarium. RBTA's have done best in my system in the 250-400PAR range. I am using 2 Ecotech radions 90% ab sps setting and 2 48" T5 bulbs blue plus and antinic 18" above the water. I have them under 250 watt metal halide and 125watt fluval led as well, all with in a similar PAR range.

Scorchx1245 · Nov 10, 2017

Yes not enough light is s good starting point. Try feeding it every couple days from my understand it will help.

SourAngelfish · Nov 13, 2017

I had a similar problem at one point, I would give it access to better light and feed it every other day.

Reefing newbie · Nov 19, 2017

I also agree that the anemone looks bleached. You can tell by the tentacles and base. The tentacles have gone from a more vibrant green to a transparent very light green. The base has also become a lighter color as well. Imo I would either lower the settings on the coronas or try to shade the anemone and give it time to recover.

Jacobscorals · Nov 19, 2017

At 5 months on a tank I got a bta that was white just like that and thought it was beautiful and came home with it because didn't have net access at store and looked it up and tank wasn't mature enough and then read on how he got so pretty and it almost kills them to get them the color.he made it a month and tried good light and feeding and he turned to a cotton ball mess and passed.I now keep several anemones in that tank 2 years later and are fine and thriving.will never have another bleached anemone

Colorado Coral · Nov 22, 2017

Update. He did not make it. Although I am upset, I will use this as a learning experience. I believe a combination of not enough light, to new of a tank, and maybe not enough nutrition was the culprit. Thanks to all of you who took the time to try and help. I look forward to my next attempt at keeping a BTA. My poor little clownfish is wondering where his bed went!