A Major Problem that requires attention

[timjoemak]

Hey guys, see last week, I actually cut my anemone in half, a BTA, because it was just too big. But anyway, its healing process was really fast, however so, I've encountered a problem, or tell me if it is meant to be this way.

When my anemone split, or rather I forced it to, how long does it take for the mouth to move to the centre because right now, my anemone's mouth can still be seen in one corner, and is it going to heal anytime soon? Since there are 2 anemones, I moved one into another tank which is doing well, however my main focus is this one. It has always been in the same tank. When I fragged it, it took maybe 2 days to get back into shape, but this is my problem now.

The anemone does seem to look a bit more dull compared to a lighter colour last time, and since the wash of my filter 2 days ago with the change of carbon, the anemone shrinks up every night from the size of my hand into a ping pong ball. I'm just wondering could this be a healing process or what should I really do? >< I'm really confused, because other corals seem so healthy except of the anemone. Please do help me out. Thank you guys SO SO much.

 

[timjoemak]

Anyone can help me out? It's afternoon here in Melbourne, Australia, and it's opened up again, but not it's normal size, it's a big smaller, plus I think it's colour is getting a bit darker, like a darker purple... ><

 

[bues0022]

It's just healing. Assuming everything else has been stable it should be fine. It will take a while (months perhaps) for the mouth to be centered again. It has a lot of growing to do. The shrinking at night could be expelling waste, or because it wants to. The guy I got my first RBTA from said that it used to shrink up every single night in his system. He'd had it for some time too, and it was very healthy when I got it. It didn't do it for me, but my tank is different. They're hardier (as long as it's not fresh shipped from the ocean) than what most give them credit for.

 

[timjoemak]

Thanks bues0022 Really appreciate that comment. Yeah, so normally how long does it take for the anemone to have its mouth in the centre?

 

[Coral Hind]

Small part healing process but I think the new carbon is mostly to blame. Carbon can be an irritant to anemones as well as clams if it is not rinsed well or placed in the system properly. Also, if it has been awhile since you changed the carbon the fresh carbon can clear the water which increases the light penetration. This can force corals and anemones to adjust to the new light available. This would explain the lightening of color. In order for the anemone to thin out the zooxanthellae it must deflate to flush it out. Care should be taken to either maintain a frequent carbon replacement schedule or photo-period adjustment after a carbon change to ensure the the light is not a shock to the inhabitants.

 

[timjoemak]

NO WONDER! that makes so much sense. Coz the water in my tank somehow doesn't look the same, and yeah, somehow that makes heaps of sense! thank u so so much. Damn, I really need to control the change of carbon or something like that. Thanks again!