Anemone signs of good health

[cdex22]

Hello all, I am new when it comes to anemones and have a lot of questions. Does an open mouth mean death is around the corner? What are some signs that an anemone is not doing so well?

 

[Toddrtrex]

In open mouth isn't a good sign, but could happen during the first couple of days as the anemone is acclimating to the tank. But, open for more then 3 days in a row isn't a good sign.

Some other signs would be, not being sticky, not attaching, and being white in color.

 

[cdex22]

I have had it for 36 hours and the mouth is still open. Hopefully it will close tomorrow or so. It is not bleaching from what I can tell and it attached right away, but the mouth is what is making me worry.

 

[Toddrtrex]

What type of anemone is it?

Do you have a picture?

What size tank, what lights, and what are the parameters?

 

[cdex22]

It is in a half round 120 that is 30" deep, I have a 400w metal halide, and the anemone is a green LTA.

 

[Toddrtrex]

What about the water parameters?


Are you acclimating it to your lights? IE, window screening b/t the lights and the tank.

 

[cdex22]

The parameters are:
nitrate less than 5 more than 0
pH 8.2
calcium 400
I haven't tested the rest in a while, let me know if I am missing something important.

I do not have a screen between the tank and lights, and the LT is about 15" from the surface and the light it self is 18" above the surface.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Knowing the salinity would be nice.

I strongly suggest getting some window screening -- most hardware stores will have it.

Where did you get the LTA from ? Online or an LFS? (( want to know if you know what lights it was under before hand ))

 

[cdex22]

Oh sorry, Salinity is 1.025. So does the window screen filter the light somehow?

 

[cdex22]

Oh sorry, Salinity is 1.025. So does the window screen filter the light somehow and should I have the window screen over the tank permanetly or for how long?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Yea, it does. Makes a huge difference, and allows the anemone to get used to your lights --- which I am willing to bet are a lot stronger then where it came from.

I like to use 3 layers, and then remove a layer each week (( anything else in your tank will be fine during this process )). I know when I got my last LTA, it settled in a lot quicker once I put the screening over the tank.

Granted this is carpet, but will give you an idea,

One layer,

Two,

Three

Over the tank itself (( the egg create was used to put the screening on top of ))

 

[cdex22]

Thanks soo much! You are a big help! Do you have any other tricks that I should know, and should I do the screen with all anemones to help them acclimate?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Sure thing, and glad that I could help.

Do you have a sand bed? And how deep is it? LTAs, prefer to have their foot buried in the sand.

Unless you are getting it from another reefer that has very similar lights to you, I would use the screening for any new ones.

 

[cdex22]

My sand bed is about 2" to 3" deep and I have it between two rocks, so should I try to move it? Oh and I forgot, I bought this from saltwaterfish.com.

 

[Toddrtrex]

As long as it isn't fully attached to those rocks, I would move it to the sandbed.

And since you did get it online, I would get the screening tomorrow if you can -- shipping is hard on anemones.

 

[cdex22]

Any recomendations on where on location in sandbed, next to rocks or out in the open?

 

[Toddrtrex]

I would try to put it next to the rock, all of mine have seemed to like that.

Can see in this picture --- it is actually buried in the sand, but the oral disc is up against the rocks.

 

[cdex22]

Awesome, thanks for all your help.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Sure thing, always glad to help with anemones.

Make sure to keep this thread updated.

 

[jrw]

BE CAREFUL WITH THAT OIL FRAGRANCE NEAR THE TANK!!! (If that's what that is)

I have a friend that claimed one of those moved into the room wiped his tank out. Just thought I should warn you.