Brown spots on my anemone... (pic)

[FLReefGirl]

What is it? Should I be concerned?

My clowns finally started going in my anemone after 2 months. Since they have I noiticed these brown spots showing up on the anemone.

I add marine snow 3 x a week and feed it silversides 1 x a week. It also gets whatever I feed the tank which is brine shrimp and spirulina flakes. The flow is good and it is under T5 lights for about 10 hours a day. My params are as follows...

NO2-0
NO3-2
Amm-0
PH-8.2
Phos-0
Ca-425
SG-1.025
Temp -82

 

[raoul]

I don't think you have anything to worry about

It looks like you bought a very bleached H. crispa nem. Their natural colors are usually brown/beige/creams. It looks like it's regaining its zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae that lives within the nem and nourishes it) - that's a good thing Good lighting, water quality, and feeding usually do the trick.

Good job, and good luck!

 

[FLReefGirl]

So the spots are the anemone turning to it's normal color? What will happen to the pretty purple tips?

 

[raoul]

Yes, the spots are the normal color. The purple tips will still be there, but obviously not as visible against a darker background. I never thought I'd think that color brown was beautiful, but after nursing our crispa back to health it's a color I can appreciate!

 

[BAYONNEREEF]

still looks nice dude

 

[FLReefGirl]

Phew!
That must mean I'm doing something right.
Thanx!

 

[raoul]

I'd keep doing what you're doing, since the nem is responding well

They are very striking in their bleached state, it's too bad they're not healthy

As it gets healthier, you can also expect the tentacles to lengthen and taper off at the ends. Crispa tend to have quite a few tentacles and can look very full when healthy. I'm guessing in a few months it will look quite different.

 

[FLReefGirl]

Yeah, I like it light like it is but like you said, it's not healthy. I'm sure I will grow to love it in its true state. I hope it get nice and BIG.

Thanx for your help raoul. Do you have any other advice for me?

 

[cschweitzer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9516401#post9516401 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by raoul
Yes, the spots are the normal color. The purple tips will still be there, but obviously not as visible against a darker background. I never thought I'd think that color brown was beautiful, but after nursing our crispa back to health it's a color I can appreciate!

HA!!! That is so, so true. You cannot appreciate a good brown until you get into reefs.

 

[raoul]

As for other advice - tank stability is always good.

Once ours began growing and stretching out we had to move things out of its way or move it. I would be careful with what you put near it. Ours is in a 30g that began as a mixed reef, but is evolving into a near clown/nem species tank. there are a few other things in there, but he's basically got half the tank

I wouldn't be quite as concerned with a 55 though, just be prepared to move things that are near it now.

I also noticed, looking at your reg. date and experience you listed that this looks like a pretty new tank. Usually it's best to wait longer before putting a nem in, but it seems to be doing fine, especially considering it's regaining its color But stay on top of things and keep it stable, and if you notice anything else that doesn't look right on your nem just post.

Good luck and enjoy. I may pull up an old pic of our nem a month after we got it, and then take a current pic for you - if you're interested that is.