Sick Anenome HELPPPPP

[baronessbuni]

Last week I bought an anenome and a clown fish to add to my tank. I put them both in my 10 gallon, as I do with all my new friends to be sure they are "safe" before I add them to my 29 gallon tank.
The first day I got the anenome he was fine. The next morning I woke up and he was gray and shrivelled up. I tested the water and everything came out just fine. I brought him back to the fish store and she said he had a damaged foot. she put him in her tank to see if he would heal.
She told me that I shouldnt have crushed coral on the bottom of the tank, and that I should only have sand. She said that the coral or maybe even the live rock cut him.
I was at another fish store the next day and asked someone else about this, and they said there was nothing wrong with what I have on the floor of my tanks. (I have both crushed coral and sand)
I stopped in the original fish store and he seems to be doing MUCH better. He is white and vibrant again. I'm supposed to be bringing him home next week (going to give it some more time before we move him again).
My question is this: What could have caused the cut/bruise on his foot? Im not going to reset up a tank with a new bottom just for one new friend.
I guess I am wondering this...was I sold an anenome with a problem and she was covering it up? Or is there really an issue with what I have on the bottom of my tank?
Thanks for any help anyone can give me...this is my first anenome

 

[beth]

Well, there could be a problem if your anemone is a foot in the sand dwelling anemone. Is it? Was it trying to bury its foot in the sand, or is it a rock dwelling anemone? What kind of anemone is it??
If it is a sand dwelling anemone then it must have amble sand [say 6" deep at the very least] to bury its foot...sand not crushed coral]. In addition to this, it must also have the light it requires at the bottom of tank [meaning very intense lighting [MH in combo with VHO]. Do you have those conditions in your tank? If not, don't get the anemone. Do some research on anemones that are adquate for your tank--if there are even any.
If you want an alternative "host"for clownfish, try anthelia. They are much hardier and clownfish seem to bond well with them.

 

[baronessbuni]

I'll be honest, I have no idea what kind of anenome he is. She had him in a tank with crushed shell, and he was/ and is now doing fine. He is white, with lots of tentacles with small purple dots on the end of the tentacles. Coming out form the bottom looks like a stump or a mushroom stem. (I know I sound like an idiot for buying something I dont even know what it is)I spent 30$ on him, and I hate to give him up, but I dont want to kill him either. After 4 days in her tank he really looks like he did when I got him.
You mentioned the other host for the clown fish...where might I find one? I dont buy fish from chain stores, basically because I have had too many problems with sick, diseased fish. Ive looked online and found great prices, but the shipping doesnt make it cost effective.
Anyhow if you have any idea of WHAT kind of anenome he is, that would be helpful.
Thanks
Judi

 

[baronessbuni]

I reread what you wrote...He didnt seem to be trying to dig into anything...he actually moved from where i put him, in the sand over next to and then on the live rock. Hope that helps more.
Judi

 

[frogger]

just my .02 cents.... sounds like a purple tip atlantic condylactis (spelling??) I have two of them. They are rock dwellers. Love to move around the tank. Sometime its normal for them to be small and shrivelled up. Mine are like that usually every morning. They also do that when i feed them shrimp or plankton.
How long has your tank been up? They need perfect conditions but not the strongest of lighting. Just another thought, condi's aren't host anenomes. You'll need to get a long tentacle or a bubble tip. Just like always though, you really need to research prior to buying. Could save you a catastrophe! Good luck!