Fish report

A few things occured this week, that you may find interesting.

But first, I want to report that the BTA continues to do well. The baby has not moved, and a mouth has begun to appear. The larger section appeared like it might tear itself into two halves, but that hasn't occurred yet. Last night, I decided to try to feed both the smaller (new) BTA and the main torn section. I wasn't even sure if either could manage to eat quite yet, as the mouth isn't exactly obvious, but both anemones grabbed the food. The smaller one ate little piece of Krill, and this morning it looks HUGE by comparison. Doubled in size!! The larger BTA looks nice too, and the mouth is quite visible, although it is along the mouth that the BTA split in the first place. I'm hoping it will heal up just fine.

The two clownfish (one 6 year old True Percula and one 8 month old Ocellaris) have been getting along just fine. The Percula is huge by comparison to the young 'un, but that little guy has been extremely aggressive, trying to get the Percula away from what is left of the BTA. I'm really surprised to see this territorial display, since the Percula has been in the anemone for almost 2 years now.

The Green and Orange mandarins in my 55g aren't getting along - still! Daily, I observe the green one chase the Orange mandarin across the reef, the two of them zipping along at startling speed. The orange one is much less orange now, and rather thin. The change in color could be a change from juvenile to adult, but it is thin probably due to stress (being chased daily really takes it out of you!) and lack of natural foods. I've been feeding newly hatched brine shrimp every other day to help supplement its food source, but I may have to hatch brine daily. I've been hoping it would start eating prepared foods like my other mandarins have.

One sweet moment occured two days ago, while I watched the green and orange mandarins. They got along, and the green one came relatively close to the orange one, in a non-aggressive way. It didn't last long, but it gave me hope that they will get along one day.

One nice little Acropora frag that I've had for months RTN'd overnight, and died. I only found out after removing it that it was starting a bunch of new branches near the base. What a disappointment to have something finally take off, and then die suddenly. :(

I did yet another 10g water change on the 29g, in case the BTA may be introducing possibly chemicals into the water due to the split.