Anemone stressed from tank tear down?

[Daimyo68]

I've had my bubble tip for about a year now, has always shown good color, and looked healthy. I'm in the process of taking down the tank that he is in, and was going to move him to another tank I have.

About 2 weeks ago, he moved for the first time since I've had him (after the initial introduction into the tank when he found his happy place). He moved and found another spot and stayed there. Last week I decided to take my 57g down, and obviously, in the process he was moved (rock and all) to the back of the tank, away from all other rock, until I would move him to his new location. He has since moved off the rock, and onto the glass/overflow.

Over the last 2 days, he has deteriorated. There has been a lot of action in the tank due to me selling off most of what was in there. During the entire "sell off", I have maintained all water parameters, and any water removed was replaced with new water of the same levels. Other than the tank being almost bare now, nothing else has changed.

I moved the powerheads in different directions as I thought maybe that would help.

Anyways, I'm not sure if what he looks like now is due to stress or not. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want to lose it as I now have an attachment to the Nem (awesome looking colors) and was hoping to give him a new home in my other tank (not to mention what I paid for it).

Should I move him to the new tank, leave him in the current tank for another week? I'm at a bit of a loss.

Picture from 2 days ago, and pick from 15 mins ago:

 

[mandarin_goby]

Wow, he's beautiful. I bet he's fine - mine look just like that then they bounce back the next day. Is his mouth gaping? Any guts spilling out? At least he's still sticky, that's good. Mine are very moody - deflated one day, fully expanded the next. I'd leave him to avoid any more stress, but I'm no expert. Best of luck!

 

[worm5406]

You might have stirred up some bad sand/debri.

How is the skimmer running? Did it pull anything extra off?

 

[Daimyo68]

The mouth isn't gaping, he still has his colors, no guts spilling out, but he's nowhere near open or "bubbly" as usual. This is the first time I have ever seen him without his bubble tips.

Skimmer is running the usual, nothing extra.

I'm probably overreacting, but this was/is my first bubble tip anemone, and I just want to make sure to make every attempt to keep him alive and happy.

 

[worm5406]

Not much flow in the corner. Can you bank if off something to give him a little flow, not a lot.

 

[Daimyo68]

I have one of the returns pointed into the right rear of the tank (always was), and I just turned a PH to give more flow, just enough so that his tentacles are moving.

 

[sjwitt]

If you are removing things from the tank you're changing the balance so it's probably just sulking. It is beautiful!

If the other tank is new I'd move as much over (live rock, etc.) as possible and let the new tank cycle. It will cycle but if everything that comes in is from your established tank the cycle will be shorter. If it's an established tank already then I'd move it and let it settle into its new home. Then as you break down the old tank it won't be disturbed by whatever is stirred up. Don't be surprised it it splits from the move.

 

[Daimyo68]

The system it's going to in an an established 6 year old.

Happy to report though, that the Nem is doing much better today. His bubble tips are coming back, and he is perky.

I king of figured I stressed the h3ll out of him, but had never experienced this before.

Thanks for the replies, they are much appreciated!

.

 

[mandarin_goby]

So glad to hear it My rose is super deflated right now - I don't even sweat it any more!

 

[Daimyo68]

To top this off, he split and I now have 2

 

[worm5406]

Nice... Any pictures?

 

[Whysoserious]

Beautiful RBTA..