Is my green BTA ok?

[Mike0001]

I purchased a green BTA about a week ago. By day 2 he settled into his spot and my 2 clowns were already hosting him. Sometimes he inflates while the lights are off but deflates soon after they turn on. The last 2-3 days I have not seen him inflate at all This AM it looked like he was diving head first into the sand! As far as I can tell his mouth is closed, it’s a hard angle to see. My LFS suggested I remove 2 of the 4 T5 bulbs to see if that helps which I did today. It’s a 40 gallon breeder and he suggests the lights might be too bright? Is that sound advice or would you put them back in? I run them from 3:30pm-9:30pm.
The tank is about 7 months old. Salinity 1.024, PH typically ranges from 7.9-8.1, ammonia / nitrites 0, Nitrate typically ranges from 10-20, alkalinity has been ranging 8.2-8.8 which is probably the s.d. of the Hanna checker. I have Hanna phos and calc checkers on order but don’t know those levels. I use reef crystals and do about a 7.5 gallon change every Sunday.

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

I can't hurt to acclimate it to the lights. How high above the tank are they mounted? Nems can take a while to settle in as well. I don't see anything of concern yet. Have you tried to feed it? It could also be that it isn't used to clown fish, and maybe it is just irritated.

 

[Mike0001]

Maybe the lights did make the difference.

 

[moz71]

Agree with arsenal. Parameters look good, light acclimation good idea and probably the clowns got him a little freaked out. Give it time

 

[Uncle99]

If he don’t like the light intensity, he will move.
If he don’t like the flow, he will move.
your waters on point.
Do nothing at all.

I would not feed it. It needs to get its photosynthetic process in gear, food will hamper that.
Nem do not need to be fed. Once a month is fine,

feed him light!