BTA / Anemone pros.. please help diagnose. Cipro Treatment or not

[m0nkie]

Hi guys. I am all out of ideas on what to do with this one BTA anemone. I have several BTAs in tank, of all colors. All but 1 is healthy.

Tank has been up and running for almost 2 years. The unhealthy anemone was the last piece added. about 2 months ago.

Temp: 79-81 chiller controlled
Alk: ~9
Calc: ~400
Mag: ~1400
Salinity: 1.025
Light: Kessil 360WE, Kessil 150 Deep Blue (intensity at 70%, color at 70 white during day, ramps up and down)

symptoms: Started losing color at first.. expell zoo DAILY! been expelling for 2 months. At first I thought it was acclimating to new environment.. Now, fully expanded, there's no tentacles. Just a big green base. It always expell zoo during day. Looks better at night. At night, its mouth is usually closed or slightly droopy. But no tentacles.

I'm wondering if I should use Cipro to treat this anemone?? I'm not sure why it would look like this. I don't think the tank is the issue as everything else is thriving

If I use Cipro: new salt water or tank water for daily water change? if new water, what do I have to match? just temperature and salinity? Do I need to acclimate the BTA to QT every time I switch water? Lastly, IF it is cured, then what? would it just start dying again in my tank?

thanks!

Picture taken at night time, this is the BTA at its BEST currently! the green base in the back. If it doesn't look like this, it looks worse. expelling zoo.. mouth gapping,

 

[Amoo]

Typically when we do Cypro treatments it's because we suspect the Nem to have a bacterial infection of some sort. It is possible, but IMO, highly unlikely this nem has had an infection of some sort for that long and still looks as good as it does in that picture. If it was my nem, I personally wouldn't treat with cypro.

At the same time though I don't have a good answer for you other then things you have possibly already tried, move it in the tank to change it's lighting exposure/flow...etc.

Has it been eating at all?

Is there something in it's area of the tank (I see that coral banded shrimp in the area but they're usually not a culprit) that could be bothering it that doesn't spend much time in other parts of the tank?

Sorry I can't give you a lot of insight. If you do decide to treat with Cipro as a last resort, Always new SW, Match Temp and Salinity, no need to acclimate.

If for some reason it did have a nagging infection hanging on and the treatment cures it, it should (in theory) be fine once placed into your DT. I would try just about everything you can think of first though and use the cipro as a last resort.

 

[m0nkie]

Thanks Amoo. I will reserve Cipro for last.

I tried direct feeding but no response. I do feed coral frenzy twice a week so I'm sure it's getting some of that.

I will try moving him to a new area.. maybe something is bothering it.. but it's clearly expelling zoo on a daily basis. doesn't look like signs of pests.

I had some pest hermits that chopped my other BTA.

other than that, I'm slowly lowering the intensity of kessil. Im thinking maybe it's my LED that's still too strong? this might **** off other happy corals though

 

[enchelycore808]

I've had some BTA that looked ok for awhile and slowly go downhill just like that. Bleaching, gaping, losing tents. I actually did end up treating with cipro and bringing it back. Actually I have one floating in a basket right now. Finished treatment about 4 weeks ago and starting to grow tents back finally. So I'd say if it reaches the point where you think it's a goner, pull it and treat it. Other then that try turning your pumps down and sitting a couple small pieces mysis on it and see if it eats it.

 

[davocean]

You could shade screen the area above that nem only and see if that helps, then your others will not be affected or feel need to wander for light.
It very well could be acclimating to new lighting.

 

[m0nkie]

thanks guy.. I moved the anemone to a darker corner. bare bottom. Lowered the light intensity and put an extra screen on top. It's attached to a rock crevice now but hiding in complete darkness.. no light can reach it. I'll leave it for a day or two. If it's still there, I'll help move it out.

It's still expelling zoo.. I can see my cleaner shrimps eating that stuff.

I'm not very confident in treating, but I do have all the materials on hand. Cipro will be my last bet. I know when they lose their stickiness, they are usually goners.. Maybe I'll pull it once it starts losing its shape and becomes droopy

 

[davocean]

While it's in a darker area do try to squirt mysis at it.
Sometimes they are just simply roughly handled on collection, a torn foot sometimes can do them in.
Good luck, do catch before mush to save the rest if you have to.