What Has Happened?

[G7EG]

Hi all,

I need some serious help, i purchased an anemone yesterday which looked great in my LFS.

I got it home yesterday, added it to the tank in the middle, bang central of the tank and up against my live rock. My clarki clown was in it within 5 mins and after that he seriously wouldn't get out, he was like a little kid in a candy shop!!

Since then I got home from work tonight and not only had it moved to my right a fraction it has also sort of devlated and gone green. Now in my book it says that it does deflate for over 10 hrs but im rather worried!

My clown is trying to get into it but it's not having it, certain bits are still moving slightly and other bits have just flopped!!

Does anyone have any ideas??

I will add a picture in a few mins for you

[UPDATE]

It has now moved completley out of the sand and what looks like is begining to open and turn from being green to a more normal colour.

Whether this has anything to do with me feeding the fish im not sure. I will add the updated pic in a second aswell...

Interesting.................

 

[G7EG]

Yesterday afternoon when I got it:

This evening when I got home from work:

Just went to take a look again and it's now looking like this 1hr since I got home from work:

 

[N1z]

How old is your tank, and what lights are you running on it?

Cos they do mainly / only well under metal halides and need a tank of over like 6-12 months. but its obviosly moved cos of one of those reasons or, bad water quality, current and feeding also. Cos if it keeps moving then u need to start worrying alot more as its unhappy.

one thing i will say if u cant take it back in time or it starts to look totally dead take it out straight away as it can nuke your tank!

 

[G7EG]

Thanks for the reply mate, the water is perfect.

I havent feed it anything as I need to get some shrimps for it I beleive, I have fed the fish flake food etc though so he may like that.

I am using the nubulbs not the decent h5 bulb is it?

I have 3 in there though, 2 strong whites and 1 strong blue.

 

[SkiFletch]

Dont think I've ever heard of those, but sounds like flourescents if you've got 3 on there .

Some unhappiness of Nem's is not unheard of and they will run around till they find a place they like as far as lighting and flowrate go. As mentioned, they need impeccable water quality and high lighting. T5's are SOMETIMES sufficient, but most successes are reported under metal halide lighting. If I were you, I'd let it keep wandering for a few days before I got really concerned, but if it hasnt found a perch by say sunday, I'd worry. As mentioned, if it does look drastically bad (IE extremely discolored and shedding), get rid of it immediately before it nukes your tank.

 

[G7EG]

Thanks skifletch,

I am worried already as it doesn't look great (compared to yesterday) when I bought it anyway!!

Should I do anything now to help? should i leave lights on all night or should i stop the pumps?

I can get an updated pic if you like

My lights are like this (the front 2 in the pic)

I have x3 - 2 white and 1 blue

 

[SkiFletch]

Thats an interesting mix of power compacts and I THINK those bigger ones are T12's. My first concern is that you have no reflectors. White painted inner canopies work OK, but reflectors are way better. Might help.

As far as the nem goes, it looks kind of wilted and angry, but still colored properly. If it bleaches white its in real trouble. Let it run around a bit, leave your lighting cycle on as normal and keep your pumps going. Do not EVER shut your powerheads off for more than 30 minutes if you can help it. Water circulation is necessary for corals and anemone's to exchange O2 across their skin and breathe. I'm not all up on species of nem so I cant really diagnose that one, but if I had to wager a guess I'd call that a long tentacled anemone. Not sure if they prefer sand or rock, high flow, low flow, or what. Havent considered them much for my own setup since I hear they're so hard to keep and delicate.

 

[G7EG]

Sorry Skifletch... That pic isn't my tank!

It's just an example I got from google of the tubes I have.

Here is an updated pic, seems like he has stopped moving and found a spot... Not much life in him though but clarki seems eager to get in it lol

Colour seems ok but no life

 

[Chac]

What are your Tank Parameters

I think you have insufficient lighting to sustain a Nem

What is the overall Output of your lighting, how far down is the Nem in the tank (away from the lights )

 

[G7EG]

The nem is at the bottom of the tank at a depth of around 1 foot (at a guess)

The lighting I beleive is x30w each bulb (I have 3 bulbs)

 

[Chac]

TBH, your lighting is way undee-rated, as a minimum I personally would only house a Nem under a min of 150w Halides, even then I beleive I would keep it high in the tank ( well untill it decided where it wanted to stay that is)

IMO your only options are to either Upgrade promto or return the Nem/pass onto someone with suitable lighting , this is the only way that nem will survive

 

[G7EG]

Thanks for your help mate,

I guess I need an upgrade then!!

 

[Chac]

May be an idea to rehouse it whilst waiting for the upgrade as IMO the Nem wont last very long in an underlite tank

I would suggest (not being cheeky of course) more reasearch on Nems & your LFS needs a slapping if he said that Nem would be fine under those lights

 

[SkiFletch]

your LFS needs a slapping if he said that Nem would be fine under those lights

Amen. They should aslo get a slapping if they decided to sell it to you without asking you what lighting you have...

 

[G7EG]

Hi all,

Yes I do agree with you, sham really as the pulser (xena) has been fine.

Anyway I have an update:

I went to bed last night around 4 hrs after I posted that last pic and it has settled down and started to perk up a bit. I turned the lights off and went to sleep.

I woke up this morning and to my amazement it is now easily twice the original size, it's kinda like its blown up, clown is happy with it!

Not sure whats happened there?

ps - What should I get to feed it?