Thread: Feeding BTA
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Old 10-06-2005, 07:14 AM
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Heya Tony,

Sorry for turning this into the great debate... but it's good reading.

Probably the point I wanted to make earlier was availability of food on the reef in nature. As nutrients are sparce in general on the reef, most reef inhabitants are opportunistic omnivorous feeders. By supplying a varied diet to your fish and corals you will most assuredly meet the protein needs of most species, but some have adapted to an existence based on carb intake and rely less on protein. They have adapted to what is available on the reef. Some adapt as they mature... Giant clams rely on filter feeding when young, but when older and able to gather more light, they almost solely survive by the production of their food by their symbiotic algae.

I think the key is not to over do it. Once a week IMO may not be bad in a sparsely fed tank, but then I'm a heavy feeder and observe my anemones eating most of any meaty foods I put in my tank.

When I say that a clownfish hosting is enough to feed an anemone I should qualify that as being my observations with my Maroon/LTA and Ocellaris/Rittieri relationships. I constantly watch these guys drag food items too large for them to eat back to the host. The maroon in particular dotes on his anemone, constantly moving HUGE mounds of sand and moving corals ... soon followed by the anemone moving into his new spot,,,, *GRRRR!*

But yes.. in principle I do agree with the rest, clean water, stable parameters, movement, and lighting are ALL important... all more important that direct feeding, especially in a well fed tank.
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