Haircut for a RBTA

Whoyah · 07-20-2006, 11:50 PM

Well one of my RBTA wandered a little to close to my powerhead and got a hair cut.

Most of the tentacles are gone. The base is still attached to the glass and closed up. I am not sure if should just pull it out now or wait for it to go belly up. If anyone has miracle story related to something like this, I would love to here it.

Sea~Horse~Whisperer · 07-21-2006, 11:25 AM

Mine got shredded a few years back and it survived....When this happened it was about 5 inches across inflated. 2 years later is was 12 inches across before I sold it. As long as it's still attached, it isn't dead.

Sea~Horse~Whisperer · 07-21-2006, 11:27 AM

Try to remove any of the tenticles that are floating around the tank if you didn't already. (I'm not sure if it's true, but I was told they can still sting and they will pollute the tank.)

graphixx · 07-21-2006, 02:23 PM

that is true, an anenome will toxify the tank quicker than most anything else. when they die or get shredded, they pollute the tank quicky and with a lot of toxins. I had one get shot through a power head and oh boy what a mess!!!! I had to do like a 60% water change and ran carbon heavy for like 3 days!!! But I am sure you have a good handle on it Shad!!! Let us know how the little guy is doing.

Whoyah · 07-22-2006, 12:31 AM

I did remove the large chuncks. The stump is still hanging in there. Not much left really but I guess time will tell. Probably related to this event, my other RBTA split into three pieces. All seem pretty healthy and decent size. I also lost a chromis last night. I am not sure if that is connected, probably. The chromis was roughly 7 years old and my oldest fish. One of my hairy mushroom was trying to eat the body. Tough place. Nothing like a reef tank to keep you on the edge of your seat. Knock on wood, everything else seems to be fine. I guess a good size water change is in order.

Whoyah · 07-25-2006, 07:32 PM

Well, I now have 4 and quarter RBTA. The healthy one split 4 times in a matter of a few days. All have a disc about 2" across. The stump is still hanging in there. I guess I will fatten them up and sell/trade a few off.

Whoyah · 08-07-2006, 05:56 PM

A little update. The stump is actually doing quite well. There was only one full size tenticle right after the haircut. I can now see a bunch of little baby tenticales starting to grow back. I am kind of amazed by the whole thing. The other 4 are doing good too. Soon I will have a whole grove of RBTA.