To move Anemone or not to move it???

meowzer

Moderator
Yes, that is the question. OK my BTA is still under the bottom rock where it is awkward to get to...but with effort, do-able...BUT...I can actually see its tentacles, and they are full....I was going to move the rocks today to get it out, since yesterday morning it didn't look good. BUT last night and today (from what I can see of it) the tentacles have stayed out and are full...
If I move the rocks, I might annoy or even cause harm to it (plus stir stuff up), and I know it is usually best not to mess with anemones, and once it gets better, it will probably come out on its own...(right?)
At this point, I am leaning towards leaving it down there, and IF something happens to it, like it disappears, or shrivels up and stays that way...then move the rocks....
Any opinions.....
 
Mine stays on the underside of a rock and when it needs light it stretches out its foot and extends from under the rock toward the light. It will move on its own so I would leave it alone and just observe. I don't know what kind of lighting system you have but it may be more powerful than the LFS and it needs time to acclimate to your lighting.
 

t316

Active Member
+ 3 on the above recommendations. If it's going to die, it will die. But likely, he knows what he's doing and when come out when he's ready. I have one stationary (never moves, just keeps splitting) and one that roams the tank from top to bottom, non-stop.
 

meowzer

Moderator
I hate to say this, but I had to move it a little...It was partly out of the cave, unattached, and for some reason the other fish were nippin at it...sooo I carefully put it in a cup, and have a net over it...It has absolutely no smell, but it is still shriveled...With it being in the cup I am able to take care of it better (I hope)
 

lmecher

Member
Glad to hear you were able to get easily and hope you're able to get it to eat too. Well at least you can see it and it will be easy to remove it if you need to.
 

meowzer

Moderator
Well I haven't tried to feed it since it is still shriveled...I just checked it again...NO SMELL, the mouth is not enlarged, and nothing seems to be coming out of it at either end. I have attached pictures...2 are me checking it, and one is how I have it in the tank...I still have the right light out.


 

lmecher

Member
I would not keep it in that cup, it is not getting any circulation, the sides are too high. I have a hang on mesh basket or perforated shower plastic dish I use just for these type situations, it needs a little flow for respiration. I think it would be a better idea to put it into one of these. I could post photos of both if you'd like.
 

meowzer

Moderator
In the tank I have it cocked some just for that reason...It still looks the same, just checked it...no smell though...You think I need something with holes in it??? The cup is only 2" high.
 

lmecher

Member
Bear with me, this is my son's laptop aggrivating as heck, my computer, can't get online. I am downloading photo for you. This is what my hang on basket looks like.
 

meowzer

Moderator
I use to have one...don't anymore. I am going into TX tomorrow, I am looking all over to see what I can use, just not finding anything. The anemone's base is not red anymore, it is white, but a few of it's tentacles look like they are filling up...Absolutely no smell, since the base is white now, what do you think that means?
 

lmecher

Member
That is bad, seems to be getting worse, loss of color is always bad. Look for a bathroom plastic shower dish that attaches w/suction cups, that is what I was photographing for you. They have holes on the bottom and slits on the side to provide good water circulation. They are pretty cheep and work well, I have used one in the past, kept my mini's in it for several weeks so I know it won't compromise their health. I am not feeling very confident but will keep hoping for the best.
 

meowzer

Moderator
I know loss of color may not be good, but why would the tentacles be filling up if it is getting worse??? I have searched high and low and can't find anything to use tonight...It will have to wait until I get to the store tomorrow...I hope it can.
 

meowzer

Moderator
I have a koralia 1 near it, I am going to try to point it so it is getting a little more direct flow. Do you think that will help?
 

lmecher

Member
Phew, that's good that the base is still colored.
Yes, water movement is nesessary for keeping it oxygenated.
They inflate/deflate does not really mean much more than it is still alive, loss of color would mean it is bleaching more. They have been known to do some crazy things, look as if on deaths door one moment then full and vigiorus the next.
 

lmecher

Member
If the base was a nice deep red then turned white, I'd say it was bleaching further. There are varing degrees of bleaching, they bleach for several reasons, stress and lack of light being the most common.
 

meowzer

Moderator
OK, base is still red, I have the koralia blowing some flow towards it, but not directly on it, and it actually seems to be puffing up...I do not think I'll get too excited though, I think this poor nem has some real issues. I only hope I can save it.
 

kube

Member
Is it possible to get a better picture, from the last pics you post it doesn't look as bleached as it did in the earlier pics, i think your camera is making it look in worse shape than it really is
here is a picture of a bleached anemone that I bought in my stupid days so you know what a bleached anemone looks like
From another site:
"What is anemone ‘bleaching’? All healthy clown anemones have a population of zooxanthellae in their body tissues that helps provide nutrients to the host anemone. This algae population is brown in color, and all healthy clown anemones will have an underlying color tone of light to dark brown depending upon the intensity of lighting under which they are kept, and the size of their zooxanthellae population. In cases of stress or poor water conditions, the zooxanthellae population in an anemone can die or be expelled. This condition is called “bleaching” since a healthy, dark colored anemone can become light and pale overnight. Bleached anemones are white or translucent in color, and lack the noticeable brown undercoloring of healthy anemones. The lack of zooxanthellae puts an anemone at significant health risk, since it no longer has a substantial source of nutrients. However, even badly stressed and bleached anemones can recover if placed in a stable, healthy environment. Daily feedings and appropriate light conditions will help the animal to rebuild its zooxanthellae population and reacquire its normal tan/brownish color over time. This process may take a while – three months is not unusual."
"What should I feed my anemone? Anemones will thrive on a varied diet, especially if they have healthy zooxanthellae and are under bright lighting. Though anemones can consume large chunks of food, it is better (for the anemone and your system) to feed it smaller items more frequently. A good diet includes fresh or frozen seafood (krill, shrimp, mysis shrimp, scallops) enriched with reef vitamins (Selcon or Zoe). Additionally, prepared frozen aquarium foods work well - the gel-bind variety of Formula I/II, etc. Anemones will even eat flake food if they can grab it – some anemones will eat a lot of flake if they are located at the right spot in the aquarium where water flows directly into their tentacles. Try different foods to see which one your anemone accepts best – as individuals their tastes seem to vary. Monitor feeding based on the health of the anemone and understand that your anemone will grow based on how much you feed it. If you want it to grow quickly, feed once per day. If you want it to grow slowly, feeding once per week (or less frequently) is fine. "
 
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