A newbee with a nem Stichodactyla haddoni

[D-Nak]

Uh, so how's the anemone? :lol2:

 

[Mudbeaver]

If you take the flake in a pinch, and put it under the water line FIRST before letting go, it will instantly sink and go into the water column.

Yes, putting it on top does not show anything and you have to wait for it to get wet and get past the tension on the surface.

So you're ready to polute your entire tank with expensive food to find all the dead spots, the currents and all the info i get with a stick and a ribbon ?I do this over a weeks time by the way .

 

[Mudbeaver]

Uh, so how's the anemone? :lol2:

Its actually very well i din't try to feed it yet . I'll wait a bit , i hink she likes her spot because she hasn't moved at all. The picasso's are ignoring her , i got a new blenny today i hope he's not stupid enough to go there lol, the starfish when right at it and touched her. I don't know if a carpet can eat starfish. i know they eat urchins, seen it on YouTube. They eject the shell after, so i guess they eat spikes and all ewwww.

 

[worm5406]

Ohhh no... not at all.. Just a little bit at a time.

Your method does seem better and I have both ribbon and plastic rod/hard hose at home that I can see the flow. It is not like it is left in there for hours.

Glad to hear the anemone is doing good! That seems to be a very nice addition to your system.

 

[Mudbeaver]

Ohhh no... not at all.. Just a little bit at a time.

Your method does seem better and I have both ribbon and plastic rod/hard hose at home that I can see the flow. It is not like it is left in there for hours.

Glad to hear the anemone is doing good! That seems to be a very nice addition to your system.

Thanks. Its just that it seem very expensive to use food to find something like the waterflow when you can use only a stick and a ribbon, and i'm not doing it for fun, i'm actually maping the tank. Its time consuming, about a week, but if you save $300-$ 500 worth of pump just by placing your pump better i mean thats more money for other things. That was my whole point. Like i said the guys at the club found it so usefull now they've start selling the extra pumps they no longer need. Also less eye soars too, lol. aquscaping becomes very important too , in this.With this method i was able to create NPS zone, and a softies zone and all kinds of little areas. It takes the will to do it. I just pushed it further, and came up with a model. I can't posted here, too big and complex. I've got it on my blog for the club.

 

[taylor t]

A few of us know how this is going to end IF fast action isn't taken...I'm sorry...

I'm sorry, but looking at your picture from yesterday, and the one you just posted, shows a nem that is losing it's rigid body form - "losing cabin presure" on the way down, so to speak. Just look at the difference in only one day. Yesterday's photo looks like better "cabin pressure" than today's pic. It should have a pressurized folded appearance. Like an innertube, as it slowly loses pressure, it is going down hill, sometimes undetectable to us if we look at it with our own eyes everyday and don't get outside feedback or have pics to compare to. It has short tents (for a gig), which in and of itself isn't life threatening, but means this guy is in a weakened state. You said it deflated for some unknown reason... Most likely don't want to hear opinions as to why... I wouldn't call your tank new, but it may be too new for that guy...


That guy needs treatment ASAP.

It has great color. I would not feed it until it looked loads better.


I'm very sorry to rain on your parade, I know you don't want to hear it. After this post, I won't bother you anymore. I think your anemone has GREAT potential, IF FAST ACTION IS TAKEN, but I don't want to tell the emperor he looks fantastic until he gets flushed.


I wish you the best, I hope you are able to keep this guy alive, it's a real beauty.

 

[Mudbeaver]

A few of us know how this is going to end IF fast action isn't taken...I'm sorry...

I'm sorry, but looking at your picture from yesterday, and the one you just posted, shows a nem that is losing it's rigid body form - "losing cabin presure" on the way down, so to speak. Just look at the difference in only one day. Yesterday's photo looks like better "cabin pressure" than today's pic. It should have a pressurized folded appearance. Like an innertube, as it slowly loses pressure, it is going down hill, sometimes undetectable to us if we look at it with our own eyes everyday and don't get outside feedback or have pics to compare to. It has short tents (for a gig), which in and of itself isn't life threatening, but means this guy is in a weakened state. You said it deflated for some unknown reason... Most likely don't want to hear opinions as to why... I wouldn't call your tank new, but it may be too new for that guy...



That guy needs treatment ASAP.

It has great color. I would not feed it until it looked loads better.


I'm very sorry to rain on your parade, I know you don't want to hear it. After this post, I won't bother you anymore. I think your anemone has GREAT potential, IF FAST ACTION IS TAKEN, but I don't want to tell the emperor he looks fantastic until he gets flushed.


I wish you the best, I hope you are able to keep this guy alive, it's a real beauty.

Ok if you say so , but the guy who sold it to me and raise them was just here, said she was ok and yes to wait abit before feeding her was best, but he said she's looking good, good extension, retracting is normal as he pointed out. Not to worry for a few days untild she's acclimated. Day 3 now.

 

[worm5406]

Can you take a video?

Let the camera stay still and record for like 3-5 minutes.

That will show tentacle movement and any other movement that a handheld camera will hide.

 

[OrionN]

I am with taylor t. They guy that sold you the carpet thinks it is a Haddoni when even with just photo, we can tell that it is a Gigantea.
Just to show that he does not have the experience that taylor t or I have regarding carpet anemones, both Gigantea and Haddoni.
Good luck with your Gigantea.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Ok if you say so , but the guy who sold it to me and raise them was just here, said she was ok and yes to wait abit before feeding her was best, but he said she's looking good, good extension, retracting is normal as he pointed out. Not to worry for a few days untild she's acclimated. Day 3 now.

And didn't that same guy also tell you that it was a good idea to force your clowns to host this anemone by placing all 3 in a container?

Also, didn't you mention (( on another site )) that it is contracting/retracting often?

Not sure I would take much more advice from that guy.

 

[worm5406]

I agree. We are here to help you succeed, not fail. We have no gain. You said the guy that sold it to you and raise them... Sounds like he is ready to sell you another one if this fails.

The bigger thing is, this is a public forum. You know the other guy. We all know where we have been and what we have done and seen. We are giving you advise based on the observations we have with the facts that you have given us.

There have been some questionable statements made about acclimation and treatment of clowns and anemones. Questionable to our standards, with a very large success rate.

Thank you for explaining what you see and sharing your pictures. Do you need some ideas on how to treat it?

 

[Mudbeaver]

I agree. We are here to help you succeed, not fail. We have no gain. You said the guy that sold it to you and raise them... Sounds like he is ready to sell you another one if this fails.

The bigger thing is, this is a public forum. You know the other guy. We all know where we have been and what we have done and seen. We are giving you advise based on the observations we have with the facts that you have given us.

There have been some questionable statements made about acclimation and treatment of clowns and anemones. Questionable to our standards, with a very large success rate.

Thank you for explaining what you see and sharing your pictures. Do you need some ideas on how to treat it?

Please ; you don't know my friend at all . If it dies he would GIVE me a new one. He's done that now for 25 years, and the previous poster on the other side of the world can tell that my nem is dying from a cloudy picture . Please a bit of contritions wouldn't be out of line and accept that other people know what they do ; outside this site or forum. I posted my nem to ask question so not to bother him constantly on the phone. And on all site they're all so called expert who say they are expert and who can tell from a distant picture that my nem is dying ......not with even knowing my parameters,or looking at it up close. I do not believe in rushing into this. She's been here 3 days. The guy from are club( the guy who sold it to me ) make his rounds to different custommers who have poblems with their nem and cures them , ya , he's that commited to his nem and the ones he sells. So your statement about him wanting to make a buck out of me is false. He gave, gave me food for her, and he'll be back in a few days to see how she's doing. And his nick name is Nem, even if his real name is Gilbert, lol. In any case telling that i'm doomed with my nem and everybody around me are againts me is not a very positive and a way to gain my confidence specially when you have no idea who the people i'm dealing with. I don't know the people on this site , but i know the face and have the adress of those i deal with. I don't mind advice. But not when it comes with don't believe the people around you is just what i'm saying. Its one thing to ask me questions its another to give me advices with warning of doom if i don't do what i'm told by the people here, doesn't make any sense to me . In any case thanks for your time :wave:

 

[Mudbeaver]

And didn't that same guy also tell you that it was a good idea to force your clowns to host this anemone by placing all 3 in a container?

Also, didn't you mention (( on another site )) that it is contracting/retracting often?

Not sure I would take much more advice from that guy.

No i learned that from a site devoted to raising nem that i found, also calling themselves EXPERTS, lol. So different techniques i guess for different experts lol. But worked for one night they slept in her and then they when shopping , never to return lol. Like a woman with a platinum one. Yes contracting and retracting, he said that very healthy for a nem to do so. They retract usually when their's too much flow, the sun is down, to clean themselves, and to protect themselves if necessary of if they aren't ready to eat.If they retract for days at a time that can signal a water chemistry problem or water quality problem. So she's fine. Like this morning she's all retracted my cucumber is sleeping beside her. She'll open up when the lights goes on. I don't know if she could eat him i have no idea. my sea star seem to be fine even after brushing with her yesterday. So i guess she's not hungry yet, because someone texted me that her star was eaten by her carpet.So...

 

[OrionN]

Please keep us update

 

[Toddrtrex]

No i learned that from a site devoted to raising nem that i found, also calling themselves EXPERTS, lol. So different techniques i guess for different experts lol. But worked for one night they slept in her and then they when shopping , never to return lol. Like a woman with a platinum one. Yes contracting and retracting, he said that very healthy for a nem to do so. They retract usually when their's too much flow, the sun is down, to clean themselves, and to protect themselves if necessary of if they aren't ready to eat.If they retract for days at a time that can signal a water chemistry problem or water quality problem. So she's fine. Like this morning she's all retracted my cucumber is sleeping beside her. She'll open up when the lights goes on. I don't know if she could eat him i have no idea. my sea star seem to be fine even after brushing with her yesterday. So i guess she's not hungry yet, because someone texted me that her star was eaten by her carpet.So...

Sorry, but that is contracting/retracting is NOT "very healthy for an nem to do so".
Been keeping S. haddonis for the last 20 years or so, each one would average about 5 retractions a year, with the vast majority of those times being because I touched it during a water change.

I really question the advice that you are getting from that person, but it is your choice to believe whomever you want.

 

[D-Nak]

Let's clarify a few things:

1. The anemone is a gigantea.

2. Level of experience. Most, if not all of the people who are trying to help you on this thread currently have one or more HEALTHY gigantea (Orion is probably at a dozen based on his last additions!). I would expect you to trust those who have the same anemone that you have, not someone who 1. Mis-IDed the anemone and 2. told you that retracting is normal and acceptable. Regardless, we're all here to help you, moreover we're all concerned about the nem and want to guide you to what we believe are the best husbandry techniques.

2. Retracting -- or deflating as most refer -- is not normal, and should not happen. I've had multiple gigantea as well, and I can tell you that I've only had my gigs deflate a couple of times at most in the past few years, and it could be attributed to being sick (when I acquired it) or by me doing something to the tank (adding aminos). This statement "They retract usually when their's too much flow, the sun is down, to clean themselves, and to protect themselves if necessary of if they aren't ready to eat" is completely false. If there is too much flow, the nem will typically move. When gigs are concerned however, they can handle A LOT of flow, probably more than we can provide. When the sun is down they may partially deflate (mine are usually about 3/4 of normal size after lights out). Healthy gigs never need to "clean themselves" they just poop. Sick gigs deflate (in my opinion) in order to try to purge an infection and this typically results in the nem expelling dead zoox -- dark brown pellets that I describe as "rat poop". Gigs don't need to protect themselves -- they have powerful nematocysts that are more than capable of killing any nearby coral or small intruder. They don't have means of protecting themselves from large predators. Finally, when gigs aren't ready to eat, they simply... stay open.

All that said, to go back to your original question, the reason the nem is deflating is because it's sick, probably due to an internal infection. As I mentioned, the nem is trying to purge something that it's unable to do by "pooping." Your gig is showing the typical symptoms of a sick gig:

1. Tentacles are not fully expanded (they should be long and stringy, averaging about 1" in length) and appear more button-like, resembling a haddoni
2. The nem appears to have difficulty keeping itself upright, as if it can't hold itself upright
3. The overall color of the nem is muted, and lacks brown pigment. Healthy gigs have brown pigment, which indicates a healthy zoox population.

I wouldn't be surprised if in the next few days the nem begins to flatten out and look like a "puffy pancake" or its mouth will begin to gape, which are symptoms of an advanced infection. However, I'm hoping the nem will be able to pull through on its own without any meds.

Best of luck, and please continue to provide updates.

 

[Mudbeaver]

Let's clarify a few things:

1. The anemone is a gigantea.

2. Level of experience. Most, if not all of the people who are trying to help you on this thread currently have one or more HEALTHY gigantea (Orion is probably at a dozen based on his last additions!). I would expect you to trust those who have the same anemone that you have, not someone who 1. Mis-IDed the anemone and 2. told you that retracting is normal and acceptable. Regardless, we're all here to help you, moreover we're all concerned about the nem and want to guide you to what we believe are the best husbandry techniques.

2. Retracting -- or deflating as most refer -- is not normal, and should not happen. I've had multiple gigantea as well, and I can tell you that I've only had my gigs deflate a couple of times at most in the past few years, and it could be attributed to being sick (when I acquired it) or by me doing something to the tank (adding aminos). This statement "They retract usually when their's too much flow, the sun is down, to clean themselves, and to protect themselves if necessary of if they aren't ready to eat" is completely false. If there is too much flow, the nem will typically move. When gigs are concerned however, they can handle A LOT of flow, probably more than we can provide. When the sun is down they may partially deflate (mine are usually about 3/4 of normal size after lights out). Healthy gigs never need to "clean themselves" they just poop. Sick gigs deflate (in my opinion) in order to try to purge an infection and this typically results in the nem expelling dead zoox -- dark brown pellets that I describe as "rat poop". Gigs don't need to protect themselves -- they have powerful nematocysts that are more than capable of killing any nearby coral or small intruder. They don't have means of protecting themselves from large predators. Finally, when gigs aren't ready to eat, they simply... stay open.

All that said, to go back to your original question, the reason the nem is deflating is because it's sick, probably due to an internal infection. As I mentioned, the nem is trying to purge something that it's unable to do by "pooping." Your gig is showing the typical symptoms of a sick gig:

1. Tentacles are not fully expanded (they should be long and stringy, averaging about 1" in length) and appear more button-like, resembling a haddoni
2. The nem appears to have difficulty keeping itself upright, as if it can't hold itself upright
3. The overall color of the nem is muted, and lacks brown pigment. Healthy gigs have brown pigment, which indicates a healthy zoox population.

I wouldn't be surprised if in the next few days the nem begins to flatten out and look like a "puffy pancake" or its mouth will begin to gape, which are symptoms of an advanced infection. However, I'm hoping the nem will be able to pull through on its own without any meds.

Best of luck, and please continue to provide updates.

This is her at noon

This is her now 1 pm

This was here a few days ago

Yes their's obviously something wrong.Can't reach buddy.I'm contacting my vet for Cypro...


​

 

[OrionN]

That anemone need treatment if you want him to live. He is looking worse and worst from picture a few days ago. If that anemone is mine, he is going to treatment tank a few days ago.

 

[DjScRiBbLe]

I'm not expert but after listening to the advice given here that deff appears sick. Good luck and keep us posted. Such a beautiful anemone

 

[D-Nak]

The photo labeled "This is her at noon" shows the beginning of the puffy pancake stage. The nem is starting to flatten out, losing it's distinctive folds, and the tentacles appear to be balding. The mouth is beginning to gape and the siphonoglyphs are exposed.

As others have recommended, I would get a QT tank ready and prepare for Cipro treatment. I have not seen a single gig bounce back from the puffy pancake state without Cipro (and I have probably monitored at least 100 gigs on message boards and in person).