BTA moved to a very dark spot in my tank

[wwfstyle]

BTA need lots of light right? I have a 75 with 2 175 15k MH with 2 48" atinics which I beleive is enough light for any anemone is that correct? Well anyways my BTA has been moveing around my tank (I have had him for 4 days now) and he has worked his way through my LR into the back of the tank and there is like 0 light back in there. The current is strong blowing outward and he has been in this spot for almost 24 hrs now. Doesn't he need light? will he move back out or do I need to try to fish him out? I dont like haven to move my 125# of LR around in hopes of not crushing him.

 

[jacob_poly]

I would leave him as he is. If he wandered there he will move back when needed. Although I get worried about anemones that disappear for extended periods of time behind LR and then resurface looking smaller than they were before (not because of splitting but just because they starve). As long as he comes out frequently or moves to a spot where he can be fed once in a while, I wouldnt worry. I know though how frustrating it can be waiting for an anemone to drop anchor....

 

[wwfstyle]

Do BTA need to be fed like LTA? I read somewhere that they mostly thrive off the lighting and the current and very seldom need to be hand fed. I have give him/her 2 peices of krill in the last 4 days but he seems to be mostly playing with it rather than eating it.

 

[thegrog]

If it is not eating the food, it probably does not need it.
Leave it where it is for now. Look around good to be sure that a rock has not shifted and pinned it's foot so that it cant move (heard of that happening). It will move to a spot it likes in time.
It may be stressed a little from being moved from the distributor to the store to a plastic bag to your tank. Give it a little time. You'd be a little freaked out if that happened to you (even though they don't "think" like animals/humans do).
You have ample lighting for a BTA.....not enough for "any" anemone. Carpets and some other more challenging species would need more for your tank.

 

[jacob_poly]

Also new anemones can sometimes take several days, sometimes couple of weeks or more before they adjust and start eating. Mine took about 10 days or so but after that its been a voracious eater, splitting twice.

 

[booduh]

Is there any sign of bleaching? The shock from going from complete darkness in shipping to bright lights is enough, as posted previously. Bleached or bleaching anenomes will shun themselves from the light for awhile and eventually make thier way out because of the shock of sudden lighting shifts. As posted before, make sure it is not pinned and feed it every two to three days until it is settled and in the light. Feeding will insure some nutrition and after it is in the light for awhile and it's color is good, meaning the zoo inside is healthy, reduce the feeding to only once a week. Also, how strong is the current on the anenome, to much will force it to find a calmer area, sometimes not the best spot to stay, as in a dark cave.

 

[wwfstyle]

About 36 hrs later he has finally move out and up closer to the light. There has not been any signs of bleaching during this process. I bought him at a LFS and he has close to the same lights on him as I do now. Body is some what pink with deep red tips one of the best colors I have seen on an anemone in my area. Hope I can keep it healthy and get a few splits out of it. Thanks for the quick responses guys. I appreciate it and 1 other quick question.... The zoo that booduhmentioned zoo and I was wondering how or what can you use to help beef the zoos up on my BTA? Is it just good water and takes time or is there a chemical that you use to help them out? Lights?

 

[kaotik]

I appreciate it and 1 other quick question.... The zoo that booduhmentioned zoo and I was wondering how or what can you use to help beef the zoos up on my BTA? Is it just good water and takes time or is there a chemical that you use to help them out? Lights?

i believe it just takes time and staying healthy otherwise (eating, strong lighting, good water params etc)

 

[booduh]

Strong lighting is the best way to bring up the algae that lives within the anenome. They are truly symbiotic and benefit from another. The anenome gives the zoo algae food and CO2, in return the anenome receives oxygen.
Your lighting is correct for a healthy anenome, basically you have met the prerequisite for a healthy anenome. When there is not enough light the algae inside dies off and the color of the anenome fades, bleaching. When this happens the anenome turns white and with a lack of oxygen dies.
Good water, lights and time will beef up the zoo algae, if your anenome has good color the algae inside is happy. Congrats sounds like you have a winner.