My LTA is growing a little fast

[mattseattle]

This is a picture of my new LTA which I got about 2 months ago.

This is it today. The head has went from 3-4" to about 7" in just a short time. I'm assuming LTA's don't split. How can I slow it's growing down?

 

[Desolas]

That's good to see it doing so well.

You can feed it less, that will limit it's growth somewhat but may cause it to wander in search of a spot with more food. I think that's the only way to really slow it down.

Did yours burrow into the sand and attach to the bottom, or is it attached to the rocks behind it?

 

[horge]

It's hard to measure growth with such animals: the oral disc and tentacles can be expanded and contracted at will.

Indeed, in certain cases, underfed animals will expand to get more sunlight, so that hosted zooxanthellae can phtosynthesize more starch and sugar for the animal.

I wouldn't cut back on feeding at all, no.
Enjoy the animal.

If you like, you can find a suitable clownfish to take up residence in it --the constant disturbance by the clownfish tends to restrict anemone expansion somewhat. The mess the fishes make when eating and especially when defecating, provides nutrition for the anemone.

Suitable Amphiprinids for your Macrodactyla doreensis (LTA)include:

Amphiprion clarkii (Clarkii Clown)
Amphiprion perideraion (Pink Skunk Clown)

Other species may learn to take up residence in your LTA, but I personally prefer natural matchups.

Good luck, and your anemone does look pretty comfy.
Good work!

 

[mattseattle]

Yeah I have a clownfish that hosts in it. Nemo was just eating when I took this picture. I've been feeding it 3 - 4 times a week large chunks of shrimp. It really started growing when I was feeding it so much so I've tampered back on feeding it so much.

It has it's foot anchored in the sand right under the rock. When I first got it I dug out a small hole right at the base of the rock and placed it in the hole and pushed sand around it. It has stayed there without moving at all.

I'm just afraid it's going to outgrow the tank now

 

[horge]

Your fear is not unfounded, ...hehe...
I've kept a few M. doreensis (most handed over to other aquarists, and a few returned to the precise reef whence they came. They can all take up quite some space!

 

[mattseattle]

yeah it's starting to take up a good portion of the right side of my tank. i'm going to have to move a piece of coral or two before long so it doesn't sting them. assuming it will sting them.

 

[horge]

It will.

 

[Alice]

You may have a species tank soon.

 

[horge]

Heheh.