BTA Question

[truperc]

In general terms, how long after purchase of a BTA can you start to feel comfortable that it is doing ok?
How quickly do BTA grow?
I have had a green BTA for about 3 months now.
It was small when I made the purchase, and appears to be a little larger now but it is hard to tell.
When I acquired the BTA it was off-whitish, but now it is a dark green.
I took this to be a good sign, but not sure I am right about that.

 

[pezenfuego]

White coloration accounts for the lack of zooxanthallae (the symbiotic algae that the nem gets food from). Getting green coloration means that it has zooxanthallae and is doing better. Pics?
How often do you feed it?

 

[truperc]

My question was geered towards when people are generally considering themselves successful at keeping their anenome.
It is my understanding that they can last for a period of time by essentially eating themselves, and was curious how long that could go on.
In terms of feeding, I have done some target feeding, but I also will sometimes let the food circulate through the tank and let it pick up what passes by.
I am still experimenting on methods of feeding the BTA.
Attachment 223942

 

[rod buehle]

I have seen anemones take over a year to slowly starve/consume themselves. The saddest part is that they often starve because they are being feed too much or improper foods. Sometimes it takes more energy to consume what they are being fed than the energy gained. A year would be an OK benchmark though IMO.
My anemones get some food every day but are rarely (if ever) "target fed". I feed the fish heavily enough that some either makes it past the fish to the anemone, or the fish finds a hunk that is a little to large, so she takes it back to the anemone for storage while she gobbles up the smaller particles.. when she goes to get whet she gave the anemone to hold, she finds that the anemone has eaten her stash

 

[truperc]

Rod,
Thanks for the input, that is very helpful.
As for food, I hear this guy Rod makes a good food that can make just about everything in my tank happy.
So I think I will check that out.
Hey...that's your name too.

 

[truperc]

Originally Posted by Rod Buehle
http:///forum/post/3029712
The saddest part is that they often starve because they are being feed too much or improper foods. Sometimes it takes more energy to consume what they are being fed than the energy gained.
So I guess my next obvious question should have been, what is too much and what are improper/proper foods for a BTA.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by TruPerc
http:///forum/post/3032567
So I guess my next obvious question should have been, what is too much and what are improper/proper foods for a BTA.
I feed my anemone silversides, and it really loves scallops...I have also given it little pieces of raw shrimp
If you place the food on it and it sucks it in...it's hungry...LOL
I feed mine 2x a week, and the food disappears before I have a chance to watch it..

BUT I give it little pieces

 

[rod buehle]

Originally Posted by TruPerc
http:///forum/post/3032567
So I guess my next obvious question should have been, what is too much and what are improper/proper foods for a BTA.

most of them do best by eating small plankton size particles IME. In the scientific journals that I have read (very few) have said that when the gut contents has been studied, its usually full of the copepod that starts with an H (there are probably many). Its a small copepod.
I think you saw the thread on my anemones that has shown some success and they only get food that is made by the guy you mentioned a few posts ago

.
Not many of these anemones are fish eaters so I stay away from silversides. Its an un-natural food and I beleive that the bones may not be the best for them. Besides, I have heard too many horror stories from people that have fed silversides.. Again, all of my anemones have been thriving and I have never fed them a silverside. Note that most of my anemones are supposed to be the more difficult anemones.

 

[meowzer]

No silversides.....I guess it is a good thing I have also been giving scallops and shrimp.....I'll drop the silversides off it's menu....
OH...and I give little itty bitty pieces....like a qtip head

 

[rod buehle]

Some folks do OK with silversides. But remember a lot of splits is usually stress related, and one that expels often is being overfed
It dont think its a natural food for BTAs, and I have heard a lot of horror stories, so I thought that Id share my thoughts..

 

[truperc]

So I fed my BTA a q-tip sized piece of shrimp today to see how it would like it.
The BTA closed up like a purse, which I figured was fine. I have seen pics of this before.
Then it did something I was not expecting.
Basically, when it opened, it looked like a flat top mushroom. the oral disc was puffed out, and the tentacles were almost fully retracted.
I believe the puffing out caused the appearance of retraction.
Then the anemone shrunk. Presumably expelled its water.
Finally, about 6 hours later, it looks primarily back to normal.
This is the first time I witnessed this behavior.
Is this normal feeding behavior?
FYI, shrimp is not normally what the BTA is fed.
Not sure if I should be concerned.

 

[meowzer]

Usually when I feed mine, the tentacles just move the food into it's mouth
When it goes to the bathroom though, it shrivels up....a stream of smoke lookin stuff can be seen coming from it, and then it is all full again...