RBTA HELP!

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J

johnson5585

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 17, 2008
335
0
0
California
So I have a RBTA that I got a few days ago. It was doing really good. Moving around looking for a place to stay. this morning I saw it had picked a spot on the back side of a rock. It was still looking good. This afternoon I was looking for it again and as it was not in the same spot. Noticed it laying in the sand on its side. pretty well closed up. The tips I could see are still very bright with color but it has a greenish brown on it's pedal and body in some spots. Not sure what happened. What should I do.

Tank info
100 Gallons
4x 54watt T5's 2 12k 2 atinics
temp 78
SG 1.025
PH 8.2
Calcium 450
Magnesium 1350
Nitrates almost non detectable <5
Phosphates 0

I have a GBTA that is doing just fine that I have had for a while longer.
 
ok so overnight it started to melt away and decay. (My understanding no turning back). So I am kind of upset as these are not cheap. What could have caused this sudden change? My tank is very stable no spikes in levels ect. Plus my other BTA (green) is doing just fine.
 
I'm not 100% sure, they need to be on rocky surfaces, they need high lighting, and the need only moderate waterflow. Have you fed him? My only suggestion is that you move him to an area of less flow on the rocks, that has a good crack in it for him to put his foot, as well as to feed him. Though its possible hes dieing from chemical warfare from your other nem.
 
Kevin8888;4433543; said:
Though its possible hes dieing from chemical warfare from your other nem.
Click to expand...

Bingo, Bango, Bongo. My thoughts exactly.

The only thing else I can think of is that the nem was somehow damaged when you got it. They dont respond well to that. But chemical warfare is a biggy with nems.
 
I was under the impression that nems of the same family did not do this. Including RBTA and BTA. My local guy said that was not an issue because they were in the same family (he is actually a marine biologist not just some fish store guy). The nem did infact die. I originally had him in a place where he grabbed hold of the rock and moved to the back side of it. I did not move him and was letting him find his perfect spot. I notice he had moved half way across the tank and was back under another rock. Then he was laying on the sand all shrunken up with brown spots all over him, he looked gorgeous and healthy prior to this. I moved him to a section where he would no longer get blown around, up against the side of the tank hoping he would grab back on and be on the move again. I noticed his foot was all brown on the underside as well. Not sure what happened but not going to add another again as my Green BTA is doing well and will take no more chances on these expensive RBTA's.

Thanks all.
 
Yep your right, did a quick search, same spiecies are usualy fine together, dif ones need to be kept min of 2-3 feet appart. Which means there was another issue... possibly got to stressed with aclimation and the like.
 
For sure... that is the thing I like least about this hobby, when one of my loved fish or inverts dies it costs a fortune to replace them :( though that said I feel the beauty that can be attained in a Reef or pred tank is well worth the risk (though my lady doesn't always agree lol).
 
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