RBTA closed up for days

[xitsmike]

Hi all,

I have noticed something that is quite odd and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I have 2 RBTA's in my tank. I like to think they are rather healthy (full of colour, tight mouth, not moving around the tank, both have sticky tentacles and not expelling any zooxanthellae)

However, I have noticed today that one of the nems has been closed up completely (it looks like what an anemone looks like when it's exposed during low tide, the tentacles are fully retracted and it looks like a little ball with the mouth not visible)
I should also add - I'm almost certain it hasn't extended fully for maybe around 3-4 days.

Now - the odd thing is that the other nem is fully extended and stays that way all day until night time when it shrivels up slightly.

This is fairly recent, although I am struggling to figure out what could be causing this.

Parameters (tested using Red Sea Kits)

SG - 1.025
PH - 8.0
KH - 11
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10 (I can't let it get to 0 because my corals aren't too happy when the water is too clean)
Temp - 25C with 1 degree fluctuation occasionally if my home office gets particularly cold.
Last Water change - 3 days ago.

I would like to add that I do have an anemone crab that refuses to move to the nem that's fully open and extended, though I wouldn't think this crab would be agitating it, could it? My clowns use the nem that's fully open also, so i don't think they are agitating it either.

Could the porcelain crab be the culprit?


Many thanks for your help!
Mike.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

did you feed the balled up one directly prior to it closing up?

 

[xitsmike]

I have managed to get somewhat of a picture I took right now of both of them to show you the difference. Bare in mind the lights are on blue now and the picture might not be the best, but I tried to edit it to be more visible.

The first photo is the anemone that's closed up with the crab on it, and the second photo is the other nem that's extended.

 

[xitsmike]

did you feed the balled up one directly prior to it closing up?

Last time it was fed was Friday last week. I only feed once a week. They get a very small piece of raw king prawn each. The nems are fairly small so I make sure the pieces I feed are a bit smaller than their mouth.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Last time it was fed was Friday last week. I only feed once a week. They get a very small piece of raw king prawn each. The nems are fairly small so I make sure the pieces I feed are a bit smaller than their mouth.

that might be too much food, maybe try frozen mysis or something similar. I found mine would be crabby for awhile after I fed them a small piece (1 cm) of shrimp. I broadcast feed them and haven't had any issues since doing that

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I have managed to get somewhat of a picture I took right now of both of them to show you the difference. Bare in mind the lights are on blue now and the picture might not be the best, but I tried to edit it to be more visible.

The first photo is the anemone that's closed up with the crab on it, and the second photo is the other nem that's extended.

tentacles look good, I'd just wait, it might also be just repositioning itself

 

[xitsmike]

that might be too much food, maybe try frozen mysis or something similar. I found mine would be crabby for awhile after I fed them a small piece (1 cm) of shrimp. I broadcast feed them and haven't had any issues since doing that

Perhaps you're right.

Though what confuses me is that the one that's fully extended is completely fine and this one is actually smaller in size than the one that's closed up! You'd think both would be sulking! Though I'll just give it some time. I've already noticed the tentacles have come out slightly!

I've got some mysis in my freezer so I'll feed that instead for now!

Thanks for your help and input!

 

[xitsmike]

Quick update:

The nem is fully extended again. Looks healthy, might've just been sulking over something! both are looking healthy!

 

[Uncle99]

Quick update:

The nem is fully extended again. Looks healthy, might've just been sulking over something! both are looking healthy!

Now that’s a great ending!

 

[xitsmike]

Now that’s a great ending!

It sure is! I was just confused as my parameters were fine and one was looking as healthy as ever and the other just decided to sulk.

I've honestly no clue what that was about!

Luckily it's back to normal now!

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Quick update:

The nem is fully extended again. Looks healthy, might've just been sulking over something! both are looking healthy!

they do get grumpy from time to time