Any successful Riterri keepers out there?

[Jer_H]

I was hoping for some input...I have always been fascinated by the anemone/clownfish relationship, and have read a lot about them. After over a year of contemplating taking on the challenge, I introduced a riterri anemone to my tank. I believe that I have the water quality, and lighting to sustain one, but mine isn't doing so great. I knew that it was going to be a challenge, and in mid-December decided to attempt one.

I purchased it the day it arrived from shipment to the store. It actually looked pretty good, and had actually already attached itself to a rock, whereas the other BTA, and LTA's were shriveled and drifting along the bottom of the tank.

I expected it to shrivel and inflate for the first little while acclimating itself (after my acclimation), however it continues to do so.

I have it center, top under 250 HQI lights, with good flow.

I read they wander when unhappy, but mine hasn't budged an inch from where it immediately attached itself the day I put it in the tank. It will eat when fully inflated, but every day it still deflates, sometimes with the mouth gaping. I should mention my clowns are hosting in it.

From what I read they ship poorly, and I've even heard only 1 in 10 survive long-term as a result of shipping.

It's been 2.5 months and I'm hoping he'll come around. Looking for some tips from anyone who's been successful.

Thanks,

Jeremy

[neemo]

try Pming 'sparkie' here.
he doesn't come on very often but I personally know that he has had his Ritteri anemone and true perc for over 8 years and they are both doing fantastic.

[Mugster]

Sohal Tang has also been successful in keeping one too. He may be able to offer some advice or tips.







Kev :twitch:

[Sohal Tang]

From my experience with this incredible animal....
They LOVE LIGHT... They LOVE FOOD 2-3 TIMES A WEEK.... THEY LOVE current but NOT directly on them......unless moving off of them quickly.....

I fed mine raw shrimp from the deli.....

Sometimes mysis shrimp....

They will move around tank until find spot happy with...I always let them roam till they find their spot.....sometimes it is not where I want them to land hahaha

Percs and Ritarri ROCK!

Good luck...that is about all the advice I can give you....

Tim

[Jer_H]

Thanks,

I'm still kinda dumb-founded. As I said, I've got him under a great amount of light and flow. Also, feed him raw shrimp, and when pumps off, can get a good amount of mysis in him.

What puzzles me is that everything I read indicates that they move around alot is stressed, unhappy. I thought that if he was unhappy he would, but he hasn't budged.

There are no visible injuries to his body either. Can't figure out what may be wrong with him.

I guess only time will tell.

Thanks again,

jeremy

[Sohal Tang]

when I got my last one it seemed like it went
downhill quickly.... A guy on RC told me it was
a gonner... I kept feeding it and it bounced back
after a week or so slowly..and after 2 week it
was 2-3 times the size... They shrivel up and look
like hell sometimes - I have been told they are
purging themselves....who knows...others have
said or I read somewhere that if they are looking good one minute and bad the next that it is not a good sign.....

I really dont know...I am not an expert....

You may need advice from the gent that Mugster
says has kept one for 8 years! THATS A LONG TIME to keep this animal...so he MUST know.

Good luck
Tim

[papafish]

I've had a Ritteri for over 6 years. It never deflates and has a span across of 16-18 inches. Low current and intense light. It gets one large scallop per week and wastes no time consuming it.This one likes to be as close to the 400w MH as possible. It goes on a tour of the tank every once and awhile, but always returns to the same spot. One night it travelled the length of our 10ft reef. They can cause quite a bit of damage to SPS when in travel mode. If you managed to keep yours for a couple of months, and it has been eating, you should check your water chemistry. In my experience they do best with 0 phosphate and 0 nitrate. They react badly to high levels of iodine. They don't ship well, but I think if that were the issue, you would not have had yours for this long.

[Sohal Tang]

Papafish....so...if it deflates not a good sign at all????

Wow...that is excellent result you are having sounds like.....

Would be nice to see pics....
thanks.
sorry to flood this post.
Tim

[papafish]

This picture was taken when it was on the move, usually it hangs out in the other end of the tank. It seems very healthy.