RBTA bloated body, shriveled tentacles

[mh0ward]

Does anyone have any idea what might be causing my RBTAs to have shriveled tentacles and a very bloated body? There’s also thin white strings coming off (maybe tissue from brushing the rocks because of the inflated body?) I’ve had them 4-5 months and they’ve always been happy until today. I cleaned my filter today the same way I have every other month (~once per month).

Parameters are also right around what they’ve been the past month+:
Temp: 77*
Sal: 1.025,
Alk : 8.5,
NO3: 6.9.

About to test phosphate and calc, but I don’t suspect they’ll be much different from the past month either.

 

[mh0ward]

Looking even weirder:

PO4 was 0.04 and Calc was slightly lower than expected at 416

 

[mh0ward]

They’ve gone full onion now, as if the lights were going out

 

[BonnieB]

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this! I’ve also had mine go full onion and then move and finally open back up, and then very slowly regain color. They moved once to what I assumed was a more preferred spot and settled but then closed. Are they new to the tank and how old is your tank? I found, IME, that acclimation can be a slow and arduous process. Not sure if that’s what you are experiencing but hoping feedback helps! Watch since they have closed for what looks like “melting” because that’s when they’re most likely beyond hope.

 

[mh0ward]

The tank is 18 months old and the nems have been in there 4-5 months. There are also a few rock flower nems in there that are doing fine, so I’m not sure what is going on.

 

[BonnieB]

The tank is 18 months old and the nems have been in there 4-5 months. There are also a few rock flower nems in there that are doing fine, so I’m not sure what is going on.

Again, I’m sorry you are experiencing this. I had a RFA do that once. Here’s how I knew it was beyond saving. First, it began to wander (not unheard of but for RFA unusual once they find their spot); then it began to droop & close, and finally it stayed closed and just slumped over (and looked like it was melting).

So, why don’t you see if a water change helps? Sometimes we just can’t figure it out when all our other corals are doing great! Try if you can watch to see if they are getting picked on by a fish or shrimp. That would also cause them to retract and stay closed.

 

[Reefering1]

@OrionN

 

[mh0ward]

Well the lights have started to come on and they’re looking a little better… hopefully they were just in a mood yesterday

 

[OrionN]

Sometime BTA and Magnifica anemones do this. It is normal for them.

 

[mh0ward]

Just to follow up on this… the next day they were already looking better and today they are back to their usual happy selves, so it does indeed look like this was one of those “normal” things. Thank everyone!