Tips on removing RBTA

[Eddie7144]

So after 7 years my New starts splitting. I now have 4 of them and they are 4/5 inches across , taking up space, any tips on how to evict them ?

 

[Daniel92481]

That’s a beautiful RBTA. You can try to aim a powerhead at it to irritate it, and hope it releases its foot. You can also try rubbing a piece of ice on his foot.

 

[User1]

Had a similar issue. Started with one, then ended up with two, then four and it wouldn't stop. Ended up with a peak of 14 and currently holding steady at 5 after losing a few in a tank migration and giving some away.

Unless they are on the tanks wall it is going to be a challenge because they can get their foot attached in some pretty deep crevices which makes it difficult and unsafe. I ended up just giving the rock and all away much to my dismay. Considering doing it with the remaining or moving them to a refugium.

Things I have tried:
1. Steady stream of random yet gentle water flow. Not blasting them but enough to see if they will move. May take time but possible to get them somewhere so that you can peel off.

2. Ice cube under foot. Have to be quick and in a place to reach without harming you or the nem.

 

[NISMO703]

I saw a thread a couple weeks ago about people placing a pvc pipe over the nems. The pipe blocks light and forces them to move and can remove them once they move on to the pipe.

 

[Detour]

If their foot is in a crevice, the use of a zip tie can gently help to lift part of their foot as well.