Anemone Stings

[chrissaysyes]

I moved a powerhead a bit and a couple of days later my anemone decided to take a walk. He only moved about a foot but in the process he whipped my star polyps. There are lashes going through the colony where the heads are closed. Will they recover or, are they even damaged? Not 100% clear on anemones as far as stinging goes. Do they always sting when they touch something? Should I expect the corals to bleach if they are damaged or will the heads just never open again? It also came in contact with a mushroom but the mushroom didnt even seem to mind.

 

[Lynden]

My bubble tip nem regularly stretches to the point of contacting my largest sarcophyton and occasionally the zoanthids in front of the Halimeda. No damage is incurred by either party, but there are two points to be considered here:

1) Sarcophyton and Zoanthus are two of some of the toughest "corals" available.
2) The stinging power of a Condylactis (your anemone) greatly exceeds that of an Entamacea (bubble tip).

Still, your star polyps will probably heal up fine. If the anemone keeps moving that should raise a red flag, that is, look for reasons why he would move.

 

[chrissaysyes]

Thanks! The flag was raised immediately and I attributed it to the change in flow. Some zoas were stung as well but they didnt seem to mind as much, sort of like the shrooms. I didnt realize condys hah a more potent sting than the BTA

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, Condy's have an exceptionally potent sting. If the nem keeps moving and encroaching on the affected colonies, it will most likely eventually kill them. As lynden said, BTAs have a relatviely benign sting when compared to that of Condy, Malu, Sebae, and Carpets; the later of which are VERY potent. Lesson learned, be careful when adjusting flowrate, as walking nems can/will kill other corals in the tank. That's the main reason I don't have one. My tank is suitable if the bloody things stood still, but since they like walking I won't have one.

 

[Lynden]

A walking nem is more than likely an unhealthy nem. When I got my bubble tip I "planted" him on a rock and he hasn't moved in inch, even when that rock was placed in a new tank. Extra feeding helps keep them in place, so increase it to about once every three days.

Secondly Malus and Sebaes' stings aren't particularly potent, at least not when compared to carpets or condys. They are stronger than a bubble tips but not "very aggressive nems". Consider that the sting of a Condylactis or Stichodactyla can actually hurt humans but Heteractis and Entemacea usually can't unless they hit a vulnerable area. And I honestly hope nobody is inserting their "vulnerable areas" into their aquarium. Overall Heteractis are a "medium".

 

[chrissaysyes]

My nem was the same. He was originally placed on a huge conch shell. After that he found his way to a big rock where he stayed even after that rock was moved to a different tank. The lighting has changed a few times but the flow has been the same until last week. After that he started moving around a little but yesterday he took a long trip. He's still adjusting and finding just the right spot...looks like a place I'm not really going to enjoy him being. We'll see. I'll worry about him when I start seeing color changes, him not opening all the way, or god forbid disentigration.

As for the affected corals, they're all fine. They all opened back up just as they were yesterday. Not sure how that managed to happen. Theyve all been moved and the tank has been re-scaped to accommodate the condy's trip.

 

[Musho3210]

A walking nem is more than likely an unhealthy nem. When I got my bubble tip I "planted" him on a rock and he hasn't moved in inch, even when that rock was placed in a new tank. Extra feeding helps keep them in place, so increase it to about once every three days.

Secondly Malus and Sebaes' stings aren't particularly potent, at least not when compared to carpets or condys. They are stronger than a bubble tips but not "very aggressive nems". Consider that the sting of a Condylactis or Stichodactyla can actually hurt humans but Heteractis and Entemacea usually can't unless they hit a vulnerable area. And I honestly hope nobody is inserting their "vulnerable areas" into their aquarium. Overall Heteractis are a "medium".

some may have an alergic reaction as well, so keep that in mind. I know someone who works at my lfs who whenever touches a leather coral, a huge rash grows on the contacted areas.

 

[chrissaysyes]

No worries on that side...I dont stick my bare hands/arms in the tank. I use long livestock bags that cover from my hand to my shoulder. I refuse to get stung by that thing

 

[SkiFletch]

"Vulnerable areas"

Lynden, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Heteractis nems have a reputation for eating vulnerable fish?

 

[chrissaysyes]

From what I've read they have a reputation for eating pretty much anything. They will eat things too big for their mouths in turn ripping them open. This includes clownfish trying to host it.

 

[Lynden]

Bubble tips can eat fish. Even Cerianthus can eat fish. So, "it eats fish" isn't the best determiner of stinging power.

 

[SkiFletch]

Bubble tips can eat fish. Even Cerianthus can eat fish. So, "it eats fish" isn't the best determiner of stinging power.

True, yet wouldn't the frequency and success with which the anemones are able to catch said fish say something about the strength and number of their nematocysts?

 

[Lynden]

Well, my point is that while they can kill fish and are more "aggressive" than, say, a bubble tip or a tube nem it is incorrect to elevate them to the level carpets or condys occupy.

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, my point is that while they can kill fish and are more "aggressive" than, say, a bubble tip or a tube nem it is incorrect to elevate them to the level carpets or condys occupy.

Cool *files knowledge away in his brain*

 

[chrissaysyes]

Thanks for the info guys