2 blue gigs.
- Thread starter taylor t
- Start date
taylor t
New member
While I completely agree they don't need food under normal/good conditions... I have had these guys for months now. I have been very conservative with feeding, initially didn't at all. I have watched them improve in the beginning, only to watch them regress. They are still in a regressive mode. They never really increased in mass, just started to look better, then started going backwards. Cipro didn't really help - initially a little difference, but not much now. 100% water changes every day didn't really help. A metal halide over a 10 gallon didn't really help. LED over a 10 gallon didn't help. PC over a 10 gallon didn't help. Now they are back in the 75 with the green one that's doing great. 2 blues still, Not really improving. Nothing left to try, other than feeding. While I understand the thought behind not feeding them (unless you want growth, which is what they need right now, they are getting smaller), these 2 blues won't process food. It's not that they don't "need" food, or I shouldn't feed them, but to me, just proves there's something else going on inside them. They spit it out the same form as it goes in, a few hours later. You feed ANY OTHER HEALTHY ANEMONE, IT CHANGES THE FORM IF FOOD GOING IN. Do they need food? No. I agree.
The green on the other hand, takes a larger piece of food, and spits out little tiny DIGESTED pieces a few hours later. It is changing food into poo. Gross, I know... And no, it's not zoo... it's poo... And, the end result is the green gig is growing in size. Does it need food? No. But no doubt, it is growing in size from it, faster than with out it.
I agree, HEALTHY anemone's don't need food when given the proper conditions. I've got a few other anemone's I've gone many months with no food, and do well with no food, but when an anemone is about to turn to mush, feeding it's a last ditch effort. A loosing one I'm afraid... I've watched this death march too often to know, it's already here... Atleast I got one of three to make it.
The green on the other hand, takes a larger piece of food, and spits out little tiny DIGESTED pieces a few hours later. It is changing food into poo. Gross, I know... And no, it's not zoo... it's poo... And, the end result is the green gig is growing in size. Does it need food? No. But no doubt, it is growing in size from it, faster than with out it.
I agree, HEALTHY anemone's don't need food when given the proper conditions. I've got a few other anemone's I've gone many months with no food, and do well with no food, but when an anemone is about to turn to mush, feeding it's a last ditch effort. A loosing one I'm afraid... I've watched this death march too often to know, it's already here... Atleast I got one of three to make it.
D-Nak
Active member
I finally had a chance to read through the thread, and while anecdotal, I still think this has to do with allelopathy. I happen to think it's a battle of the sexes, not sure which or why, but someone isn't playing nice and I think the green nem is releasing chemicals that the other two don't like.
It could be that the green one is a male, and both of the blues are males as well. The dominant male is winning. Or, it could also be that one blue is a male and the other is a female, which is why they are reacting slightly differently.
Maybe the green one is female and the other two are males. This is why the green one is fine, but the other two, since they are both males, are fighting with each other. This could also explain why neither look better when they are QTed in the same tank. And maybe they stop eating when they fight like this.
Do you notice any perking up when you do a water change? Do you run carbon? If not, maybe you can try that.
I know that you mentioned that it wasn't possible to separate all three, but I think that's the only way that you can pinpoint what's going on. I suspect that if you isolated each one, they may each do better (which would support my allelopathy theory).
I don't think your anemones have an internal ailment, which is why Cipro isn't helping. They don't exhibit the typical deflate cycle, nor are they excessively gaping as if to try to purge something. The latest photo that shows the blue gig with the open mouth obviously doesn't look good, but I've seen them look like this when acclimating.
What this does show however, is that we know next to nothing about gigantea, especially when it comes to mating behaviors. Good luck!
It could be that the green one is a male, and both of the blues are males as well. The dominant male is winning. Or, it could also be that one blue is a male and the other is a female, which is why they are reacting slightly differently.
Maybe the green one is female and the other two are males. This is why the green one is fine, but the other two, since they are both males, are fighting with each other. This could also explain why neither look better when they are QTed in the same tank. And maybe they stop eating when they fight like this.
Do you notice any perking up when you do a water change? Do you run carbon? If not, maybe you can try that.
I know that you mentioned that it wasn't possible to separate all three, but I think that's the only way that you can pinpoint what's going on. I suspect that if you isolated each one, they may each do better (which would support my allelopathy theory).
I don't think your anemones have an internal ailment, which is why Cipro isn't helping. They don't exhibit the typical deflate cycle, nor are they excessively gaping as if to try to purge something. The latest photo that shows the blue gig with the open mouth obviously doesn't look good, but I've seen them look like this when acclimating.
What this does show however, is that we know next to nothing about gigantea, especially when it comes to mating behaviors. Good luck!
Jamie1210
Active member
D-Nak, I agree with you whole-heartedly here. As I posted above, it's just way too much of a coincidence that as the green one was sickly and first introduced, the blues were healthy, and then as the green one progressed, the blue ones started failing.
Do you have any local reefers with large, established tanks FREE of any other anemone that you might be able to house it in temporarily? I really think there's a fighting chance for these guys ...
Do you have any local reefers with large, established tanks FREE of any other anemone that you might be able to house it in temporarily? I really think there's a fighting chance for these guys ...
taylor t
New member
I don't know anyone, seems most around me keep sps over everything else. Anyone that could keep them, already has atleast one other anemone, so I don't think it's chances would be any better anywhere else. I'm thinking if they don't improve, I may set up another system (I have lots of rock). I really don't want to, but may end up doing it.
Thanks! I wish my blues looked like your purple!
No change, or very little... Haddoni gone... Algae is being plucked with water changes. Everyone's in a holding pattern. I'll just let them ride it out.
These guys don't "deflate", but still don't look/act like they should.
In the morning they are about 75% size. I don't see any of the 3 deflate, but with the blues, something's going on. Tents are not long like they should be, they don't/won't digest food (still) and the mouths are still open, and they are the same size as I got them, back months ago.
Here's a pic of my green with blue LED only. It's really hard to show how this guy glows, it's really eye catching from entering the room. Hard to show in a photo.
taylor t
New member
Fest up,
So how may systems and how many anemones do you have?
Very nice Mertensii.
I was really wanted to buy the Mertensii on LA today until I see that price tag.
Thanks! Ha ha..no hidden systems.. I only have the 2 systems 210 & 75. My 210 has a 20L and a 40B I could house other stuff in to keep seperate, but use the same water. 5 anemone's, no more room at the inn.
xtlosx
Just Reefin'
I don't know anyone, seems most around me keep sps over everything else. Anyone that could keep them, already has atleast one other anemone, so I don't think it's chances would be any better anywhere else. I'm thinking if they don't improve, I may set up another system (I have lots of rock). I really don't want to, but may end up doing it.
Thanks! I wish my blues looked like your purple!
No change, or very little... Haddoni gone... Algae is being plucked with water changes. Everyone's in a holding pattern. I'll just let them ride it out.
These guys don't "deflate", but still don't look/act like they should.
In the morning they are about 75% size. I don't see any of the 3 deflate, but with the blues, something's going on. Tents are not long like they should be, they don't/won't digest food (still) and the mouths are still open, and they are the same size as I got them, back months ago.
Here's a pic of my green with blue LED only. It's really hard to show how this guy glows, it's really eye catching from entering the room. Hard to show in a photo.
Wow, your green gig is absolutely stunning... hoping mine shags up like that someday... beautiful!!!
xtlosx
Just Reefin'
Thanks Tom! But, yours is a great catch too! Shaggy isn't as improtant as healthy.
Agreed, but it doesn't hurt to have both... If any of the local gig guys are ever in the Algonquin area, come on and check'em out.. would love a second opinion from some of the other gig-nuts.
taylor t
New member
Minh, your gigs are absolutely beautiful! Nothing I type will top that... I hope your new ones do so well!
Tom, I'm only 7 minutes west of Pete, next time you're down here, stop by! Please!
OK. here's the gigs today. Still not much to report, all doing ok. The green is still doing unbelievable, still growing... but, the blues are still hanging on. on a 75 gallon tank, Ive been doing 20 gallon changes every 3 days, feeding every other or 3 days (when I have time).
Whole tank shot:
Here's the 2 blues:
Here's the green:
Tom, this one's for you... I know you've posted you love green gigs, so here's a close up... and, if you're every close, stop by! (close to Pete's) I'd love to have you over.. coordinating time is the biggest challenge... as we all know too well...
Any major changes, I'll post, good or bad, but seems all nems are progressing, or atleast stabilizing... I'm gussing, user error with water parameters has caused my past issues. time will tell. I'm kicking myself for trying a deep sand bed, and mixed macro algae, with this tank. A constant battle, it seems. One thing to note. When the nems were doing well, KH was around 10. When I noticed problems, it was 6-7, and currently battling to keep it above 9 (10 is my target). I have a sps green slimer, and a milli sps I use as a "canary" in the tank. Both have done well, no issues, never saw any, but Im thinking my KH may have been a culprit to the blue gigs not doing well. While they have stabilized right now, they have area's on them that aren't doing well, and they aren't up to "par" in my book. Both blue gigs have gone through 2 cipro treatments, the second treatment I don't think helped, but, stable water parameters I think DID help. I'm not sure it's chemical fighting that caused my problems. Maybe, but I can't say for sure at this point.
Tom, I'm only 7 minutes west of Pete, next time you're down here, stop by! Please!
OK. here's the gigs today. Still not much to report, all doing ok. The green is still doing unbelievable, still growing... but, the blues are still hanging on. on a 75 gallon tank, Ive been doing 20 gallon changes every 3 days, feeding every other or 3 days (when I have time).
Whole tank shot:
Here's the 2 blues:
Here's the green:
Tom, this one's for you... I know you've posted you love green gigs, so here's a close up...
and, if you're every close, stop by! (close to Pete's) I'd love to have you over.. coordinating time is the biggest challenge... as we all know too well... 
Any major changes, I'll post, good or bad, but seems all nems are progressing, or atleast stabilizing... I'm gussing, user error with water parameters has caused my past issues. time will tell. I'm kicking myself for trying a deep sand bed, and mixed macro algae, with this tank. A constant battle, it seems. One thing to note. When the nems were doing well, KH was around 10. When I noticed problems, it was 6-7, and currently battling to keep it above 9 (10 is my target). I have a sps green slimer, and a milli sps I use as a "canary" in the tank. Both have done well, no issues, never saw any, but Im thinking my KH may have been a culprit to the blue gigs not doing well. While they have stabilized right now, they have area's on them that aren't doing well, and they aren't up to "par" in my book. Both blue gigs have gone through 2 cipro treatments, the second treatment I don't think helped, but, stable water parameters I think DID help. I'm not sure it's chemical fighting that caused my problems. Maybe, but I can't say for sure at this point.
OrionN
Moved on
Taylor,
Do they eat now? Try to feed mysis size food. They should have no problem digesting this size food.
I agree with good water parameter. I am doing tons of water change in my system, not because I think it is neede but I need the water for my clown babies tank. I have about 400 babies.
Use IO salt, I mix one of the 50 gal bag twice a week. I only get about 47.5 gal at 35 ppt. I drain 47.5 gal from my clown system and then pump water from my reef to the fry system. Then pump the water I mixed last time to the reef system. I am doing this twice a week. My system is doing incredibly well. I am using tab water to mix salt, not even RO water. Corpus Christi water is just a typical city water, not very clean and a lot of dissolved solid in it. Total volume of my system is about 220 gal
My SPS is growing very well and the clams are also doing really well. I keep my alkalinity at about 3.0 or so and my Ca is at about 450 with a Ca reactor.
Do they eat now? Try to feed mysis size food. They should have no problem digesting this size food.
I agree with good water parameter. I am doing tons of water change in my system, not because I think it is neede but I need the water for my clown babies tank. I have about 400 babies.
Use IO salt, I mix one of the 50 gal bag twice a week. I only get about 47.5 gal at 35 ppt. I drain 47.5 gal from my clown system and then pump water from my reef to the fry system. Then pump the water I mixed last time to the reef system. I am doing this twice a week. My system is doing incredibly well. I am using tab water to mix salt, not even RO water. Corpus Christi water is just a typical city water, not very clean and a lot of dissolved solid in it. Total volume of my system is about 220 gal
My SPS is growing very well and the clams are also doing really well. I keep my alkalinity at about 3.0 or so and my Ca is at about 450 with a Ca reactor.
Last edited:
taylor t
New member
Oops... I did forget to post a little more in depth about that - got distracted during my post last night...
Yes! They have both eaten, and digested what was given them. I crushed a small piece of shrimp, both had a good feeding response. Maybe the cipro stopped them from being able to digest food earlier. Hopefully they start/continue to improve now. I think I've given them 4 feedings total in the past week or two, every several days now. They seem to be doing well with this. They are not making huge improvements, but are always "perky" and never flat. Mouths are still not as tight as I would like them. And, one of them has nubs for tentacles around the mouth. As if it was consuming them at one point.
Here's a fresh one from just now. The gig on the left is the one that is "bald" around the mouth. The mouth is closed pretty good on this one. The one on the right is the cut one. It has it's "tongue" sticking out most the time.
Here's another one of the green from just now.
I wish the colors in the photo's were better... sorry....
Yes! They have both eaten, and digested what was given them. I crushed a small piece of shrimp, both had a good feeding response. Maybe the cipro stopped them from being able to digest food earlier. Hopefully they start/continue to improve now. I think I've given them 4 feedings total in the past week or two, every several days now. They seem to be doing well with this. They are not making huge improvements, but are always "perky" and never flat. Mouths are still not as tight as I would like them. And, one of them has nubs for tentacles around the mouth. As if it was consuming them at one point.
Here's a fresh one from just now. The gig on the left is the one that is "bald" around the mouth. The mouth is closed pretty good on this one. The one on the right is the cut one. It has it's "tongue" sticking out most the time.
Here's another one of the green from just now.
I wish the colors in the photo's were better... sorry....
taylor t
New member
Here's a pic from top. Hard to see, I know, but the mouth is always open, unless I feed it. THEN, it closes nice and tight.
Here's one just for kicks. I find this interesting. Both these guys came from the same store, the same time. Different tentacle appearances. One looks like it's tents are very thin and fragile. The other, much thicker.
Here's one just for kicks. I find this interesting. Both these guys came from the same store, the same time. Different tentacle appearances. One looks like it's tents are very thin and fragile. The other, much thicker.
