New BTA, Black ball in mouth?

[stefanis.gonczar]

Hello everyone,

I have recently purchased a BTA 3 days ago. I am New to this Hobby and have only had my reef tank up and running for 7 months. I have heard that BTAs do a lot of weird things that freak many people out but usually/sometimes nothing to worry about. The reason I am posting this thread is because my BTA had shrivelled and was expelling brown stringy stuff last night. Although I do know this is a common behaviour for new BTAs acclimating. But what has me worried is that he rexpanded and I see a black ball in his mouth trying to come out. It’s the next morning and the ball has not moved still in his mouth. The BTA is expanded and does not look bad and is getting larger. This morning his mouth was closed for sure with the blackish ball is around his mouth. I have tried lightly blowing it with a Baster to try and see if it would blow away and out but it seems like the BTA is holding on to it inside of his mouth. Now his mouth is open and the ball is still in their but BTA does not look that bad. I will add pictures of my BTA and if anyone could let me know if this is something I should worry about.
My system is a 10 gallon with 2 clowns and a cleaner shrimp. Only 2 corals one tourch and the other a hammer whitch are both doing fine so far.
Water parameters are
Mag: 1500 (I keep it higher for LPS)
Cal: 450
Alk: 11.9 (I am trying to lower back down to 8.9)
Nitrates: 5-10ppm
Phosphate: 70ppb
Any insight on my problem would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Blknovass]

It’s been my experience that news like a more mature tank. But like you said they do a lot of weird things. Keep an eye on her. If you see it looking like it is melting get it out.

 

[exnisstech]

Looks like it is trying to expell something it ate. Mite have eaten before you got it then the stress of the move may have caused it to not digest whatever it is. Just a guess as it doesn't look unhappy.

 

[stefanis.gonczar]

Thanks for the reply appreciate it. I do know that BTAs need a more mature tank (which could be the problem only 7 months running). My tank is cycled and stable for the most part. I’m just worried cause I can’t find anything about a black ball just chilling in their mouth and do not have any personal experience with BTAs. So far not melting, only getting larger and expanding its tenticals (which I think is good).

 

[stefanis.gonczar]

Looks like it is trying to expell something it ate. Mite have eaten before you got it then the stress of the move may have caused it to not digest whatever it is. Just a guess as it doesn't look unhappy.

Thanks and appreciate the response.
I think and hope that’s the case it’s just strange cause it has been doing this for now over almost 20 hours. I think it looks pretty happy too,

 

[stefanis.gonczar]

It’s been my experience that news like a more mature tank. But like you said they do a lot of weird things. Keep an eye on her. If you see it looking like it is melting get it out.

Thanks for the reply appreciate it. I do know that BTAs need a more mature tank (which could be the problem only 7 months running). My tank is cycled and stable for the most part. I’m just worried cause I can’t find anything about a black ball just chilling in their mouth and do not have any personal experience with BTAs. So far not melting, only getting larger and expanding its tenticals (which I think is good).

 

[Blknovass]

Just let her be but keep an eye on her. They do very weird things. First time I saw mine change there own water I thought it was a goner but it was just fine.