Do I got a chemical warefare going on?

[mnestroy]

I picked up two Anemones from a fellow person on RC. A RTBA and a LTA both where very healthy and very large.

When I got the RBTA its arms were aprox 8inches long, and huge base. The LTA is also very large.

Over the past 4months the RBTA has started to shrink, my conditions are ideal (I know everyone hates when peolple say this, but i've checked everything). The LTA is doing great! Both are almost at apposite ends of the tank.

The RTBA came with the rock, and the previous person told me there was some type of Xenia on the rock, it was very torn up, and small (about 4 inches from rose).

Long Story Short: The Xenia turns out to be a Flower Anemone, and over the past month it has gotten much larger and healthier... and just the opposite has happened with the Rose (it is shrinking, and stays closed more than open)

Below are some photos, I know people say don't mix Anemones but I figured since the previous owner had both in the tank just fine it would be okay in mine, (the RBTA and LTA) but now the flower is 3 anemones iin my tank....

I've dumped tons of carbon in the water, but I think the flower must go, please advise. I tried working my finger under it and due to the type of rock its nearly impossible to reach his base.

I'm going to try again, but if not I can try breaking rock, but as a last resort, he might have to be 'cut out' if I do this will I run the risk of chemicals being spewed into the water?

(I think the flower is ugly, but u can see rose on other side)

Heres a better shot, this is a month old, right when it started to shrink, as u can see behind it is the flower anemone.

This is the best pic of the LTA I have, its much larger than the photo shows and don't freak about the powerhead, its been moved

 

[Slakker]

I am certainly no expert...but I'd be worried about the LTA and the RBTA competing as well...I don't know if Flower nems are really a threat.

 

[RedSonja]

Have you tried an ice cube on the flower 'nem's foot to make it let go? I usually don't like to do that as I think it stresses the animal but in this case I think it is stressing your bta.

Whatever you do, if you *have* to cut the flower 'nem out, don't do it in your tank. Have a bucket with tank water and a heater and airstone bubbling on hand, and put the rock in there for an hour or so afterward.

As for BTA and LTA in the same tank, I think it's a bad idea personally, but it's up to you to keep them together or not. What are you feeding them, what size pieces, and how often? If the bta isn't getting enough food that would make it shrink as well.

-Sonja

 

[mnestroy]

I will keep your ideas in mind, and if the health of the rose does not improve I may consider giving the LTA away.

I will start with the flower.

I don't know If I'll be able to get an ice cube near the base, I'm not sure what type of rock it is, but its almost like tonga branch, I 'may' be able to snap a piece off to expose him.

As a last resort obviously, if I have to 'cut him out' does that mean he's dead? (Do I throw him in the toliet or do I put him in my sump until somebody can rescue him?) If hes cut I don't want toxins spread to my main tank.

No QT either

Feeding: I feed silversides, I get about 3 or so and break them into tiny pieces. size of my fingernail. I feed about every 3rd day. I just started soaking them in that stuff everyone suggest, i forget name. (This is for both the RBTA and LTA, no 3each)

 

[RedSonja]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9654256#post9654256 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mnestroy


As a last resort obviously, if I have to 'cut him out' does that mean he's dead? (Do I throw him in the toliet or do I put him in my sump until somebody can rescue him?) If hes cut I don't want toxins spread to my main tank.

No, I thought you meant cutting it out as in, can't get it out any other way and taking the rock out, and prying the flower 'nem off the rock and if that didn't work, actually cutting it loose. I wouldn't do that unless it was truly an emergency though, even if the flower 'nem isn't as pretty as the others it's still a living animal.

-Sonja

 

[cschweitzer]

Selcon or garlic?

What size tank were they in and what size do you have(40G?)?

I would get the flower anem out at any rate, but I would probably take one or the other LTA or BTA out also. Luckily, although shrinking, it does look like the anem is keeping its color, which means it is probably not that unhealthy, just maybe a little sick. I remember one guy on here with LTA and BTA in the same 55G and the BTA's look droopy and listless(not necissarily shrinking, I cannot comment on that part since I didn't see a before and after)...the LTA's looked fine(as fine as could be given environmental factors).

 

[mnestroy]

Selcon,

It is my 40breeder... The LTA is definately in a tank to small for him. I am in the works of building a stand for my new tank which will be a 90gallon.

They came from a 46gallon

RedSonja: I know its alive I will do my best, not to harm it, but at the same time aren't Aiptasia anemone not a live? yet people have no issues injecting them with a poison.

 

[Slakker]

As I see it, aiptasia are kind of like mosquitos...they have their purpose and their place, it's certainly not inside my house.

I do see your point...kill one creature so the ones you deem to be more desirable can prosper. As terrifying a concept as it is, we do kind of take the role of The Maker with our little glass-cased aquatic worlds.

 

[RedSonja]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9654898#post9654898 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mnestroy
RedSonja: I know its alive I will do my best, not to harm it, but at the same time aren't Aiptasia anemone not a live? yet people have no issues injecting them with a poison.

Actually I grow aiptasia as well, just not in my display tanks

If it were me and I had to choose between a bta or lta, and the flower 'nem, then sorry flower, ya gotta go. You might find a local reefer with a nano that would take the flower 'nem if you can get it out. Breaking the rock sounds like the easiest on you and the 'nem, as long as you don't feel it would ruin the LR's appearance.

-Sonja

 

[mnestroy]

I found a home for the flower Anem. So it wont be killed

I'll keep you posted on the health of the RBTA once thats gone.