Strange RBTA Behavior

[Urabggr]

I purchased a RBTA about two weeks ago from exoticfish.com. It came in perfect condition and was just about the healthiest looking specimen i've ever seen. It settled down and was doing very well. It's tenticles were in very nice bubbles, it was eating well, and it was just looking healthy. About three days ago, it started to move again. It stopped moving when it was deep in the "shrimp cave" (obviously, this is the peppermint shrimp's territory). There, it deflated. I wasn't really worried because I have read this is natural, and that it might even split. However, it has stayed there ever since. It is deflated most of the time, and only blows up for about an hour or two at a time, stretching towards the light. I'm not too worried, because it still looks pretty healthy (despite it's tiny size). All the water qualities checked out fine and everything else in the tank is flourishing. It's a 30 gallon with good filtration and 192w of compact flourscent lighting (actinic and 10k). I'm pretty sure the lighting is fine because I have a few LPS corals that are doing exellent. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Oh... a little off topic, but I just noticed a strange looking worm. It doesn't like light and whenever I shine a flashlight on it, it goes back into its hole. It's in the same dark cave as the anemone. Its not a bristle worm (no bristles) and its black and white striped. Very small. Any ideas?

[tdwyatt]

Normal BTA activity and behavior, prolly still going through acclimitization as well. Try squirting a little frozen chopped shrimp into the area of the anemone every day for a bit (just a small amount, less than 1/2 tsp, use a turkey baster and tank water). It doesn't matter whether the anemone expands or feeds initially, but it will begin to expand about the same time every day if you continue to do this, eventually doing it all the time on its own and then staying expanded. This is not a learned behavior (I don't think... ), but the feeding will help it to build tissue while it acclimitizes to your system.

As a side note, I wouldn't continue to feed on a daily basis unless the anemone fails to thrive, even then, check water parameters and watch for any ammonia, much will depend on the size of your system. If the fishes get the stuff first, don't worry, the anemone will get something from it regardless. Using finely chopped/minced shrimp will ensure that this happens.

hth

[Urabggr]

For the second time now, the anemone is so closed up that no tenticles at all are showing. It looks like a tiny volcano (it has a small hole at the tip) and worries me even more. I know anemones deflate all the time, but do they shrink this much (about 1/10 to 1/5... ish of normal size) and close up completely normally? Thanks.

[redwinger]

Yes, it is normal behavior they will sometimes look like they are trying to turn themselves inside out. Mine did this for about 2-3 weeks until it settles down. It is still acclimating itself to your tank water. They take in water into their system and adjust.

[motorslave]

My anenome does this to. Ive had it about two weeks and it cant sit still. It will stay in a spot for up to a day and then it will surf around the tank only anchoring for an hour or two. It does stay open and the only time it looked stressed was when it got behind the rock and the spraybar pushed it under the rock. Its actualy pretty cool to watch. It seems to be pretty good at catching the flow and riding it almost to the top of the tank. Just seems to like to surf!

Robert