My Anemone picked a dark spot

[jmg416]

I added a BTA to my tank this past weekend. It generally seems to be doing well. Unfortunately it picked a spot facing the back of my tank where it isn't very visible. But more of a concern is the spot he's in doesn't get a ton of light passing though the rocks above. Is it worth it to turn the rock so it is in direct lighting, or will they always find a spot that gives them the amount of light they want?

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by jmg416
I added a BTA to my tank this past weekend. It generally seems to be doing well. Unfortunately it picked a spot facing the back of my tank where it isn't very visible. But more of a concern is the spot he's in doesn't get a ton of light passing though the rocks above. Is it worth it to turn the rock so it is in direct lighting, or will they always find a spot that gives them the amount of light they want?

During the acclimation period of BTA's in particular they will hide out in a location that they feel safe and secure in. Its not uncommon for it to stay out of the light for a week or so, until it feels secure. Keep an eye on it, look for signs of stress, offer it food regularly even if it doesnt accept it. When it is ready it will come out to get the light. And its not uncommon to see them stretch their foot extremly far to get to the light. So they can retract back to where their safe place is. Depending on what type of lighting it came from to what it is going to will also play a role as to how fast it will come out to look for light.

 

[rcreations]

I say give it two weeks and see if it moves by itself. Sometimes they don't and you have to do it.
When I first got my BTA it did the same thing. It picked a dark spot. Then during the day it sort of stretched out to get a little light. But I could tell that it needed more than that. I gave it 2 weeks and it was still there so I moved it myself, carefully to the front of that rock. Now it's been there for 3 weeks, doing great and seems happy with the spot I picked.

 

[jmg416]

I could actually just flip the rock it's on around so it's on the top facing the light without having to move the anemone. Does that make it worth doing?

 

[perfectdark]

You could try it but remember it will ultimatly move to where it is comfortable. There is no way of making stay where you want, nor is it a good idea to try.

 

[1journeyman]

Leave it alone.
An anemone will find a place best suited for it. Make sure your parameters are pristine and you are providing proper lighting for it.

 

[itom37]

Originally Posted by jmg416
I could actually just flip the rock it's on around so it's on the top facing the light without having to move the anemone. Does that make it worth doing?
I suspect that if you do this it will end up on the other side of the rock again. I agree that you should just leave it alone. It'll find a spot in the sun eventually.

 

[reefmate75]

mine when they are about to split tend to go into hideing, and i have head when they are frist placed into a new tank they tend to split. so maybe hes going it split and wants a dark part for it
in this pic this anemone has stayed in this cave for a year atleast i havent moved him and hes split 3 times...his tips look good but that the only part of him that gets light the rest of him looks bleached