Anemone dieing help!!

[rainey1324]

I bought a condi and pink tip about 3 weeks ago. My condi seemed to be doing fine, but about 2 days ago started sucking its tentacles into its base, and then finally spit its guts out. Now my pink tip is not fully filling up with water and is often shriveled. My water paramaters are as follows:
PH 8.0
Nitrate 0-5
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
Salinity .022
Also, I have a percula clown. If these die what would be a good host anemone. Thanks

 

[booduh]

Your salinity seems a little low, try bringing it up to .024 slowly and what is your lighting?
Also, what have you been feeding the anenomes? Are the tenticles sticky to grab food?
Anenomes will take some time to adjust to a new tank, the shrinking and shriveling is a natural occurance to rid waste and get a fresh water supply, although too much and there is a problem. High quality water is essential, your parameters look good, is your water well oxygenated with good flow, not overpowering on the anenome, but good movement?
An anenome shrinking also expells its symbiotic algae within it if there is not enough light. The algae slowly dies off and the anenome has to expell it before it becomes toxic.
The anenomes you have chosen are from the Atlantic and clowns do not naturally host them, but will sometimes in an aquarium. A good beginner anenome for clowns is a bubble tip. The rose variation requires more care than the average bubble.The biggest concern with anenomes is adequete lighting at least 5-10 watts per gallon. When choosing a new anenome look for good color and have the clerk feed it to see if it quickly takes food. In my experience with anenomes, bigger is better. Smaller anenomes in nature live in shallow waters and need more light and a high spot in the tank a larger anenome is less fragile and will spread out to get as much light as it can if the light is on the low end.
Hope I was of some help, in my experience lighting is the biggest concern for a healthy anenome.

 

[kaotik]

do you know how anemones crap? they turn inside out and looks like they spit their guts out. are you sure this is not what it is doing? Also, anemone do shrink and expand. Usually you can tell if they are dying when they look like they are deteriorating. If you still think it is dying, bring it up to the surface of the water and smell it...if it smells real bad (like decaying) then it is on its way out or already gone) if it doesnt stink then it should be fine and just give it time.

 

[itchy]

Your salinty is low it needs to be around1.025 if not a little higher...some keeps theirs at 1.027. Anemones seem to retract alot especially when they digest their food. Like kaotik said smell it, if it smells terrible then it is dying or dead. What kind of lighting do you have? Anemones need strong lighting. This happens to be the most common cause of death for anemones...it is not usually rapid though. I would give it the good ol sniff test and if it doesn't small bad give it time. Also do some research on keeping them to help with requirements.

 

[rainey1324]

My remaining anemone tries to inflate, but the tips are shriveled and looks like a deflated baloon. It has just gotten worse and worse. I have 220 watts, which the LFS said was plenty.

 

[tthemadd1]

220 watts.... but what size tank... Maybe I missed that....
If these die I would say you dont need another anenome...
Rainey how long has your tank been setup?
Please do not believe the LFS... They have so many things coming and going they lose track and you need to know specifics before buying.....
LFS keep salinity low to help deter Ich...
Are you using tap water???
there might be some copper in your water. Bad for inverts...

 

[rainey1324]

I have a 55 gal. I did initially fill it with tap water but have been using reverse osmosis for water changes. My snails and hermit crabs seem to be fine. Also, my tank has been set up about 3 months. I have about 50 lbs of LR. The LFS gave me some ChemPure suppose to take out any harmful heavy metals. This last anemone is trying to live. I'd just like to do anything I can.

 

[itchy]

That is not enough lighting for anemones...the one that is still alive what kind is it? I beleive that the florida condi do not require MH but still need strong lighting. Someone else will have to update you on that particular type. Most of them need MH to survive healthy and happy.
BTW don't listen to the LFS for the most part...try doing some research on these boards as you will find great information and education. I would guess your lighting is the major problem. 220 watts is a good start for mushrooms and polyps but IMHO not anemones. Also the immaturity of the tank may be a factor as well. Most people will advice you not to add an anemone until your tank is at elast 6 months.

 

[alec_alec]

Yeah, most lfs just want to sell their stuff. Thats what I found out. They'll just say sure youve got a good enough tank /w good enough lighting so you will give them the buck. Half the time they know the things are going to die! But if you get a responsible lfs, one that specializes only in the reef part, they will have the right mind set and not sell you something if you do not have the right equip, they want to preserve the reefs too ya know

 

[booduh]

I would advise not to use the ChemPure unless you have a quarantine tank setup for the anenome or the other inhabitants of your tank. The product may cure the metal in the water, but have other side affects on your system. Losing your tank to save an anenome is a big sacrafice and the product may also change the water quality, speeding up the decline of the anenome.
If you lose the anenome I would advise not to purchase anything new for your tank for at least three months. An equipment upgrade, but no new live stock.
Allow your system ample time to recover from any water quality issues and fully mature more. Small changes over periods of time are the best for your tank, the system has to adjust for any changes new fish, inverts, etc. I know it is difficult to be patient when starting not to buy everything you like, but in the long run slowly building a tank will pay off. Less live stock loses and money.
What is currently stocked in the tank?
By the way, make sure you keep up on running new carbon, with the copper issues and excess waste from losing and the other anenome.