Is he dying??

[bigpapa]

I got my LTA 2 weeks ago and was doing great. All my water parameters are good but now my 2 clowns are upset because the anemone has shriviled up. He started this yesterday and is still the same today. I dont know if something is up but yup, I'm worried. Here is a couple pics from today:

 

[zeke92]

He doesn't look good thats for sure. it looks like he is in a cave. Is that where you sat him? Has he moved at all? Maybe try moving him to a spot with more lighting.
If you sat him there and he hasn't moved at all he was probably already having problems when you bought him.

 

[bigpapa]

Originally Posted by zeke92
http:///forum/post/2757337
He doesn't look good thats for sure. it looks like he is in a cave. Is that where you sat him? Has he moved at all? Maybe try moving him to a spot with more lighting.
If you sat him there and he hasn't moved at all he was probably already having problems when you bought him.
No, not in a cave. Its just an overhanging rock. He has moved in the 2 weeks I have had him so I figured he was ok. this is where he stopped and he is under a 150 mh coralife. This was him just a couple days ago..

 

[perfectdark]

When was the last time you fed it? Did it eat recently? If so what did it eat?

 

[zeke92]

Thats really odd he looks great in that pic. Does it look like he may be splitting? not sure how that works..
has there been any changes in water stats?
i'm not an expert, so hopefuly someone will come in and help more

 

[bigpapa]

Originally Posted by PerfectDark
http:///forum/post/2757362
When was the last time you fed it? Did it eat recently? If so what did it eat?
right before this and I tried during this as well--I dont think he did though. I tried both krill and silversides

 

[lion_crazz]

Did he eat when you fed him the first time?

 

[perfectdark]

I am assuming your water chemistry is good but looking back at the pics I do see brown cyano on your rocks. So, for the sake of not asking, how is your water chemistry? And when was the last time it actually ate what you offered it? And how big of a piece of food was it?

 

[bigpapa]

Originally Posted by PerfectDark
http:///forum/post/2757413
I am assuming your water chemistry is good but looking back at the pics I do see brown cyano on your rocks. So, for the sake of not asking, how is your water chemistry? And when was the last time it actually ate what you offered it? And how big of a piece of food was it?
I am retesting all the params again now. As far as the food, he was still on the move so I had assumed he ate what I gave him as I could barely see him--was moving from the back to the front at the time. It was only about a 1/2" size of silverside--now I am wondering if he did end up eating it because I read somewhere on here that if you have a cleaner shrimp as I do that they sometimes steal the food. If this is the case and he really has not been eating should I try moving him to my big tank? I know the stress probably wouldnt be good but the state he is in doesnt look like food would be accepted either.
On another possibility note--I dont know if this would have done it but 2 days ago my heater in that tank went down. It usually stays between 78 and 80 and overnight that night before I noticed the break in the morning it dropped to 74.

 

[perfectdark]

It is possible the heater could of created this issue, IMO not likely. I had a heater spike my temp to near 90 from 79 in an 8 hr period and my anemone had no ill effects. My reasoning behind the food questions was to see if it had eaten a large meal in the last 3 to 4 days. If the animal was getting ready to excrete its common for it to look this way. However lack of food/feeding would not make the anemone react this way this quickly so I dont think that is your issue.

 

[bigpapa]

Originally Posted by PerfectDark
http:///forum/post/2757491
It is possible the heater could of created this issue, IMO not likely. I had a heater spike my temp to near 90 from 79 in an 8 hr period and my anemone had no ill effects. My reasoning behind the food questions was to see if it had eaten a large meal in the last 3 to 4 days. If the animal was getting ready to excrete its common for it to look this way. However lack of food/feeding would not make the anemone react this way this quickly so I dont think that is your issue.
Updated photo--I gave him a nudge to see if he would respond and this is his underside. Something must of happened I missed.

I am thinking he isnt going to make it--also much to the

of the 2 clowns trying to get in close with him.. dont know y I am not getting clear shots either..

 

[fox1135]

in that very first pic it looks to me(totally my opinion, probably wrong) like it is deterating which is very very bad. you might want to test for things that usually dont get tested for (phosphate ect..) they do that right before death..
no sign of deterating in the picture of his foot, i have heard thats the last thing right before they die is that their foot looks like its melting

 

[perfectdark]

I agree it is not looking good at all, and your prob right its prob not gonna make it. I dont think it is dead yet but getting there. A good way to tell is to pick it up and smell it, trust me if its dead you will know right away. It will deteriorate very very quickly when it does die so be prepared to remove it asap.

 

[bigpapa]

Originally Posted by PerfectDark
http:///forum/post/2758201
I agree it is not looking good at all, and your prob right its prob not gonna make it. I dont think it is dead yet but getting there. A good way to tell is to pick it up and smell it, trust me if its dead you will know right away. It will deteriorate very very quickly when it does die so be prepared to remove it asap.
RIP LTA... He didnt even make it to lights out. I got him out fast but he didnt "smell". I dunno but I know he was dead-his foot was starting to fall apart..

 

[scuba diva]

I have had a lot of experience w/anemone. I went to a local landscape store and bought an "aquatic plant" mesh baket. The holes are very small. I use it to "quarentine " any new pair or oddly behaving beings that are in my tank. Just clip them to the top/side and the water flow is not deterred. You can then administer any CPR and or TLC needed for your inhabitants w/out disturbing the reef. Sometimes, natural irritants in the rocks badger the anemones. Flat worms, crabs, ect. They will pull their foot and "roll" from the place that they no longer want to live. But, if he is melting, that cannot be good. Check the water for metals and salinity also. That will send them down quickly! Good luck!