Safe to pick up RBTA?

ndz98

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My RBTA is behind my rocks and I'm worried he might be stuck there because he hasn't even popped out from behind there in a few days. Is it okay to use my hands to pick him up and move him?
 

Tateopotatoe

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You can, but he definitely won't like it. If your rocks aren't fixed into place just move them to let the anemone get out. This isn't unusual behavior at all, they tend to hide a lot. I haven't had one myself, but I've done some digging before.
 

tankstudy

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They rarely get stuck, they can fit themselves in and out of amazingly tight spaces. I have one that is currently 6 inches across when inflated like a giant muffin and it can slowly squeeze itself in and out of holes the size of a quarter.
 

Oceansize

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If he got in there, he can get out. But in my experience, any time a BTA has gone to the back of the tank and not come out, it was because I had not done a thorough-enough job of light-acclimating him and he was trying to hide from the light. I wouldn't bother trying to move him until the issues that caused him to move have been addressed, otherwise he'll just move again. My guess is the light is too intense.

I've touched mine a few times and while the tentacles did stick to my skin, there was no pain, no reaction whatsoever. You do have to remove the tentacles carefully, they can get damaged if removed too fast. I've gently pulled at their foot with my fingernail to get them to dislodge, no issues.
 
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ndz98

ndz98

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Well he's only been in the tank for just over three days so I'm sure it's him just getting used to it. But I just wasn't sure. Is it possible the flow is too much for him?
 

Oceansize

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Well he's only been in the tank for just over three days so I'm sure it's him just getting used to it. But I just wasn't sure. Is it possible the flow is too much for him?

If he's only been in the tank three days, lack of appropriate light acclimation is even more likely.
 

phantomreefing

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Nah! The RBTA would move if it didn't like where it was.

Don't damage the foot, if you are unhappy with placement, you'll just have to live with it.

RBTA always end up in places we don't want them to be :/
 

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