Encouraging BTA to stay put

[kiswanson]

I recently added my first Anemone to my mixed reef tank. I knew it was a gamble and I was prepared to move other corals. However, it found a perfect little spot not to close to the coral and where we have a good view of it. Any suggestions for encouraging it to stay put? I’m guessing some spot feeding mysis shrimp might help.

 

[62518161]

It’s going to go where it wants. Nothing you can do. That’s why I don’t have any.

 

[Cell]

Keep things stable. Dont adjust light or flow.

 

[tjohnson3]

Agreed w/ both comments above. Water stability, and not changing flow or lighting will aid in it finding a “comfortable” place… for a short period of time. More than likely, this guy has settled at the bottom Bc it’s acclimating to your lights. BTA’s aren’t to keen on dwelling near the substrate. They like rock work. Once it gets acclimated to those, it’ll more than likely make it’s way up the rock towards them. Nems move… BTA’s especially… And there’s not really much you can do about it, unfortunately. It can be in the same place for months. Then you go to bed one night only to wake up to it in the completely opposite side of the tank, or worse, caught in your intake/power heads. Only thing you can do is watch it closely, and be prepared to move something on a whim if needed

 

[kittenbritches]

It's only the "perfect spot" if it meets the lighting and flow requirements of this specific anemone. When I put mine in (early, might I add -- knowing it was risky) it went from my "perfect spot" to about 90° around to the other side of the rock, which was partially shaded. It hasn't moved since.

Since yours is on the substrate, it will likely move a bit more, but if you're lucky, it may just shift up a little. I have seen nems stay positioned like yours is. For not having brains, they certainly have minds of their own.

 

[kiswanson]

Agreed w/ both comments above. Water stability, and not changing flow or lighting will aid in it finding a “comfortable” place… for a short period of time. More than likely, this guy has settled at the bottom Bc it’s acclimating to your lights. BTA’s aren’t to keen on dwelling near the substrate. They like rock work. Once it gets acclimated to those, it’ll more than likely make it’s way up the rock towards them. Nems move… BTA’s especially… And there’s not really much you can do about it, unfortunately. It can be in the same place for months. Then you go to bed one night only to wake up to it in the completely opposite side of the tank, or worse, caught in your intake/power heads. Only thing you can do is watch it closely, and be prepared to move something on a whim if needed

Yeah, I’ve accepted the likely need to move coral around to accommodate. I also put nem guard coverings on the mp10s