RBTA just added is he ok?

USMA36 · Feb 25, 2018

A friends huge 12+ inch RBTA split and I was lucky enough to get the split. He’s a good size. I added him to my tank yesterday and he started moving around. Overnight he settled down in the back of my tank on the sand against the overflow. Is this ok? Will he come out wen he is ready? This was the best picture I could get.

Lovemyreef2015 · Feb 25, 2018

Hard to tell from the picture but it looks like it stuffed it's foot under the rock so that's good. Be patient and just keep an eye on it. It will probably move a few times before it's happy.

Flexin · Feb 25, 2018

Give him time, don't move him or move rocks around. It needs time to acclimate and that can take hours, days, a week....

USMA36 · Feb 25, 2018

His tentacles are out and thick. I really hope that’s not his chosen home. No chance of me being able to feed him in that spot. Would also be nice to see him he’s is part of one of the most beautiful nems I have seen.

USMA36 · Feb 25, 2018

Here he is with the lights on through the cave and a top down view.

Justfebreezeit · Feb 25, 2018

He will probably move out of there once he settles in.

USMA36 · Feb 27, 2018

Can I aim a power head or a return line at him to coax him out of that spot. 4 days now still sitting in the same spot bottom of the tank in the back between rockwork and overflow. I use a maxspect gyre in a 90 gallon it moves a lot of water. Currently I have it turned down to 30% thinking it may have been too much flow for his liking.

EmdeReef · Feb 27, 2018

USMA36 said:
Can I aim a power head or a return line at him to coax him out of that spot. 4 days now still sitting in the same spot bottom of the tank in the back between rockwork and overflow. I use a maxspect gyre in a 90 gallon it moves a lot of water. Currently I have it turned down to 30% thinking it may have been too much flow for his liking.

Unless it's stuck under the rock (unlikely) it will move on its own. You could try moving the actual rock if not glued. 30% shouldn't be too much flow, I have 2 gyres running at 80% and my nems sit right below one. I wouldn't point a powerhead at it, especially since you'd run the risk of blowing sand all over (inc. the nem) and potentially causing water quality issues and it may not have the desired effect on the nem.

EmdeReef · Feb 27, 2018

I just saw that it was a recent split. It's not uncommon for the "daughter nem" to take a week or longer to fully heal, hiding would be expected during that time. I'd give it a few more days.

USMA36 · Feb 27, 2018

Ok. I guess a few more days it is. Moving rock is not really an option. I’d have to remove most of the rock in my tank to get to him (or her) just worried that it won’t get enough light or any food in its current position.

EmdeReef · Feb 27, 2018

A healthy nem will move. Just keep good water params and I wouldn't worry.
It doesn't look retracted even hidden so wouldn't say there are any issues.

USMA36 · Mar 4, 2018

Ok it has been 9 days now and he still has not moved. Still has color and looks ok at least what I can see of him. Anything I can do to get him to move? He’s on the bottom rear of tank between the overflow and a rock. I have no way of feeding him. I can’t remove the rock work either. It would require moving almost all my coral.

Jason mack · Mar 4, 2018

When he’s ready he will come out and look for a beter spot , can take a couple of weeks or more , color looks good ,Patients is your best friend .. just keep your parameters in check and all will be good , I wouldn’t put a power head on him they never settle where you want them too, he will feed from the water column, so don’t worry about that

laverda · Mar 4, 2018

How old was the split? I very recent split is going to have a harder time adapting to a new tank in my experience. I always let them heal before moving them. No need to feed it unless you have zero nitrates? I would continue to let it be a little longer. Forcing it to move is just going to add to the stress. What are your tank parameters? Do you know what they were in the tank it came from.
It was probably a good idea to turn your pump down for now. They like flow but not directly on them. Is it getting much light where it is? From your photo it looks like it is getting a little? I would expect it to reach out for more light soon.

USMA36 · Mar 4, 2018

.07 phosphates 2-5ppm nitrates 1.025, 8.2 Dkh, calcium 410, mag 1300, pH 7.9-8.2 8 bulb ATI fixture. He is getting some light and some flow from Maxspect Gyre. Split was probably 2 weeks ago. Not sure what the the original parameters were. It’s an older extremely established tank. He rarely does any testing. This is his original home. You can see the nem just right of center.

laverda · Mar 5, 2018

2 weeks should have been long enough to heal. If it came from an older tank, nitrates may have been higher there. Nothing jumps out to me why it is hiding so low in the tank.

NanoCrazed · Mar 5, 2018

Your RBTA might just be happy there.... if it's not, it'll move one it's own.

Tallison · Mar 5, 2018

I had the same issue when my nem came in last week. He kept trying to go to the back of the rocks where I couldn't see him so i had to keep moving him till he attached in a crevice where I placed him. Had a feeling he hated my flow so I lowered it down to 30% till he attached and slowly started working my way back up to 70%. I'd try to gently remove with your fingertips or take a pwerhead and blast him with flow till he detaches on his own