I've had my RBTA for almost a week now. He is deflated during most of the day and is wedged under a rock... Most of the time I can't find it. Should I flip the rock over so he's exposed? Any tips or suggestions to get it to come out so we can enjoy it? Oh and I think it ate my tailspot blenny. Haven't seen it since I put the anemone in there
RBTA behavior
- Thread starter Spartan02
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No, he'll just run back under. Best to let them find their spot. Or help with less flow and lighting change.
When unhappy with where they are at, yes.
jayhawk
Active Member
The hardest thing to do with a new BTA is leave it alone. Too many times owners try and manipulate the BTA to get it into the open. Often times it does more harm than good. Over time it will acclimate and find a spot to settle. If agitated it will stress. If it starts to turn its mouth inside out, that's trouble. My advice is to make sure the water parameters are good, there is flow, and adequate light. Mature tanks are generally more suitable than new setups.
He will come out when he's ready. Thing with these guys is, ya can't go moving them around, that makes them mad, and they just run around to where they want to anyways.
jayhawk
Active Member
I have had my Inferno for 3 1/2 years. It moves more than I would like it to. It will stay hidden few weeks. It will come out in the light and wave in the current. You never know. I feed it every other day (frozen krill). It is healthy. It has split three times. With patience it will find a spot that you both will like.
KorD
Valuable Member
I have noticed my BTA's like very little flow (barely anything) and strong light... try aiming the powerhead in a different direction, or just turning it off for a few hours to see if it comes out more.
Z06-Hec
Valuable Member
Leave it be, i had a really nice green bubble and in my first week it moved and hid and I got scared and couldnt find any answers, I removed it into a bin and threw shrimp over it and ended up killing it. It was really nice looking and a few people yelled at me here... But I learned...
Now I cant find a nice enough one that isnt crazy expensive enough to try again. I paid $45 local for a 4-5 inch one.
Now I cant find a nice enough one that isnt crazy expensive enough to try again. I paid $45 local for a 4-5 inch one.
pickupman66
5000 Club Member
leave it. they will find their happy place. I have had them hide like that for extended periods then come out and be happy. I have two. one is happy, the other that was happy last week is not this week. and nothing has changed. Go figure. same with rock anemonees.... or any anemone for that matter. let them be. they will find happy place. its when they let go of the rock that you should worry.
Mmsetta
Active Member
To play devils advocate, I just acquired a sunburst bta and for the first week it was deflated and sick (not hide ing though). I waited for another week or so for it to move and get comfy. It never did and I suspected it was too high in the tank. I moved the entire rock it was on down about 4" and almost instantly (within a day) it was happy and bubbly. I don't think it would have made it had I not moved the rock. Just food for thought. Sorry if this confuses more. If anything, consider moving the rock, not the animal
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Mmsetta
Active Member
No expert for sure. My first bta, but mine deflates at night and actually balls up. Mine looked like it was melting and never inflated before I moved it. They do inflate and deflate. How's the coloring?
Mmsetta
Active Member
Sounds different than my dilemma. They're crazy little creatures. But I am so happy with it now that it's settled. Mine was definitely too much light and was bleaching it too. Good luck!
