LTA questions

[FL_Reefer]

So as I have never owned a LTA I have always wanted one. So the wife and I went out and found one we liked and brought to its new home. My question is not if it is heathy or not but the placement. I have done my reading and research on them and everything I read says to place them in the sand bed, witch we did. I have seen many LTA placed in the sand but I have also seen many placed in the rock work. I know there are some experts here that can be of help. Is there a benefit of them being in the sand or on the rocks? I know they will move where ever they please but I was just wondering if there was a difference. It has since moved to the rear of my tank by the way. A little background on my tank. It's a 220 gallon mixed reef tank with all different types of corals in it (sps,lps, softies) All water per. are good to go and I have (2) 250 watt 20k single ended MH lights running at max from 400 watt ballasts (got a good deal on the bulbs, lol) I'm sure there is plenty of light for this nem to be happy. I was just curious if anyone had any good advice on this matter. Thanks

sorry for the sideways pic, lol

 

[FL_Reefer]

Forgot to put in there the it has not attached anywhere yet also.

 

[KSzegi]

You were right to put it in the sand! In my experience they also prefer a finer sand and a deeper sand bed. Mine seem to prefer to bury their foot in the sand near or under a rock in an area out of very high flow.

 

[Emac909]

LTA do stay on sand beds. Finer and deeper is best. They use the sand for protection from predators and cause food settles to the sand. When a predator goes after the LTA the anemone retracts under the sand and hides. I'm thinking the nems that your seeing that stay on the rocks are actually bta that aren't bubbled up. Like this guy

The 2 LTA I have always prefer the sand over the rocks. They my move over a rock but tend to settle in the sand.

Edited: here's a little info I pulled up
Macrodactyla Doreensis

Common Name: Long Tentacle Anemone
Corkscrew Anemone, Sand Anemone, Red Base Anemone

The Long Tentacle Anemone Macrodactyla doreensis or Corkscrew Anemone is a handsome large anemone, growing to about 19" ((48 cm). Being brownish red to orange with distinctive white spots on its foot makes it a great low level centerpiece. This anemone appreciates bright light, fine sand/mud, and a mature system. Make sure you have 4" or more of a soft substrate. Crushed coral won't work very well with the Long Tentacle as the coral can lacerate its foot.
In nature the Corkscrew Anemone is not always a host to clownfish, though occasionally they are found in a symbiotic relationship. In captivity it is a toss up, sometimes they will host a clown and sometimes not. But this is a pretty anemone that will hold its own in beauty, even if a clownfish doesn't take to it.
These anemones use their venomous cells or nematocysts found in their tentacles to sting and deflect any possible threats or attacks. Some predators of the Long Tentacle Anemone include certain angelfish, some butterfly fish, and predator sea stars. In general if this anemone is moving about, it is not happy.
There are a number of common names this anemone is known by. These include Corkscrew Anemone, Corkscrew Long Tentacled Anemone, Sand Anemone, Red Base Anemone, Long Tentacle Red Base Anemone, and Snaky Sea Anemone. When selecting a Long Tentacle, be careful not to buy a bleached anemone or an artificially colored anemone. These conditions, especially bleaching, can be fatal as it works to purge all of its fake color and then turns the color it was originally, a tan or reddish brown.

 

[FL_Reefer]

Thanks to the both of you, you've been more than helpful. Awesome info, I appreciate it!

 

[3Twinklets]

Here is mine. He is not yet fully extended. It is still pretty early in the morning and my lights are just ramping up. He is on the bottom in sand and rocks. You put yours in a great place.

 

[FL_Reefer]

That thing is awesome! Thanks hopefully it will stay there! Lol

 

[Trex]

How much flow do you have in there ? M. doreensis are not fans of high flow.

Are you acclimating it to your lights? (( I know you said you aren't asking about its health, but a slightly bleached one will have different care ))

How long have you had it? Its foot should already be buried in the sandbed.

 

[FL_Reefer]

Trex, from what I read on the forum your the one to talk to about this sort of thing. I have had it for a little over a week now and I only run my my MH for 5 hrs a day. I thought it look a little bleached when we got it but was not sure. What do you think? And if you could explain a little about the difference in care needed I would appreciate it. There are different amounts of flow in my tank. I believe there is more flow towards the upper levels of my tank also in different spots towards the sand bed. I know they prefer it on the lower end so I placed it where I thought that was. Hope this helps a little cause we would like to make it as happy as possible in our tank. Thanks again

 

[Trex]

That picture looks a bit blue, but I would say from that one it is slightly bleached -- nothing too major.
I personally, like to leave the lights on their normal schedule, and instead use 3 layers of window screening (( supported by egg crate )) between the lights and the tank with taking off a layer every 5-7 days.
Think of it this way --- at the beginning of summer (( for us Northern folks that have winter )) when you go outside for the first time, you can get sunburt in minutes (( like your reduced photo period of MH )), but if you put on (( and re-apply )) sunscreen you can stay out all day (( the layers of window screening )). I have done this method several times with great success.

If you can, I would lower the flow for a bit --- until it gets settled, and slowly return it to normal, which watching for any reaction from the anemone to tell you is there is too much.

Have you had a chance to look at the bottom of the "foot" ? Is so, is there any damage? Even a pin sized hole can be a big issue.

In the meantime, you can try to dig a hole in the sandbed for it, and place it in there.

 

[FL_Reefer]

Thanks Trex, you have been very helpful! From what is see there is no damage to the foot, it orangish pink and looks very heathy. I'm going to try all the you have suggested and keep ya posted. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[FL_Reefer]

So thanks to Trex my new nem looks like it has finally found its new home on the sand wedged under a rock! Turning down the flow was the key to this. Thanks again

 

[Trex]

That is great to hear. Glad to be able to help.