Signs of stressed anemone

[aquaengine]

Hello all, Im new to this message board. I have looked all over the net trying to find some facts on anemone stress signs. I am worried now that I did the research for my new addition after the fact. I would like to find out what signs I should be looking out for.
I am the proud owner of a new carpit anemone. I feel confident about my water quality as I use RO water for everything and do frequent water changes. I have a total of about 75 gallons in my system including the refugium and the display. My only concern is the temp range of my system. It has been bouncing between 80 and 85 degrees.

I have noticed that the anemone roots into the substrate. He has also uprooted a few times since I placed him in the tank (2 weeks). Should I be alarmed if the stem of the anemone is extended and elongated or stretched out when he uproots? His color has been consistent and olive green with stripes of various patterns. The yellow striped maroon clown is in love with his new host. The anemone is eating well and is sticky to the touch most of the time. I think I may be freaking out, so I need to know what to look for. I also heard it is very bad for the system when an anemone goes south.

 

[thomas712]

Welcome to the Board

:happyfish
Watch for:
Loss of color
Protruding mouth or insides coming out.
Tears or damage to foot or column
Shrunken or deflated tenticals for more than 48 hours.
Any abnormal swelling around the mouth area like a balloon coming out.
Carpets are one of my weekest in knowledge, but it should be sticky as you describe and yes it will want to be on the substrate, so a deep sand substrate would be prefered. They (any anemone) will wander about the tank looking for its optimal spot, that is normal. Carpets will also eat other fish, sometimes even the clownfish, shrimp and even some of your snails if they get caught. They will prefer a meaty diet and I would feed it about 3 times per week or more. Never feed it brine shrimp. Silversides, krill and other meaty foods would be good, usually no larger than 1/4 inch.
Double check you heater and light source for possible fluxuations in temp, if you suspect your heater is going south replace it. Perhaps your hood is trapping heat, might want to look for a way to add a fan. MH lighting could be affecting you water temp as well..
This is the type of anemone that would require Metal halide lighting to get the best type of light down to the substrate, especially in a 2 foot deep tank, if you don't have MH lighting then either get some or take the anemone back.
Dieing anemones can really foul the water of a tank, if you suspect one is dieing you can smell it by lifiting it out and you will be able to tell. Most dieing anemones have what is called a meltdown, it sometimes looks like a ball of melting ice cream on hot pavement.
Thomas