Eyeing a neon green gig

[vhuang168]

So I've been eyeing a neon green gig that has been in my LFS for close to a month now. They got a bunch in and are down to 3. Am I safe in assuming it is not infected?

1 of the 3 is very neon green. Currently hosting a pair of juvie black occelaris clowns. I noticed that 1 of the clowns keep trying to get into its mouth, the mouth is slightly open but I think its because of the clown. When the clownfish leaves for a little bit, the mouth starts to close up. The mouth is also a darker color that the other 2. Guess I should have snapped a pix. I may try tomorrow.

What should I be looking for besides a slack gaping mouth?

 

[D-Nak]

A few questions for you.

1. Are sure it's a gig? Most gigs don't have different colored mouths, but haddoni do. Also, there are different colored green haddoni -- some are neon, others are dark green, others olive green -- so it would make sense to have three haddoni that are different shades of green. Green gigs are typically the same shade of green, unless the it's bleached.

2. Can I ask you which store it is? Based on what I know about our LFS, I'm guessing it's not Neptune or CA Reef since they usually don't stock carpet nems. If it's Aquatic Collection, then I'd feel comfortable buying it if it's in good condition.

3. I've only seen clownfish try to enter a sick nem's mouth. Otherwise, they leave the mouth alone. A slightly open mouth is fine, but not if the clown is causing it (a healthy nem will keep it's mouth tightly shut if something is bothering it).

4. Furthermore, as I mentioned, the nem's mouth can be slightly open, but not gaping. The difference is that a healthy nem will have a tight mouth, even though open. A sick nem will have a loose mouth, where it appears to have lost the ability to control it.

 

[ThRoewer]

Neptune had a few blue gigs and some magnificas (all sick) a few weeks ago, but killed them all because they thought treatment was not needed.

 

[m0nkie]

So I've been eyeing a neon green gig that has been in my LFS for close to a month now. They got a bunch in and are down to 3. Am I safe in assuming it is not infected?

not sure about up North.. here in Socal, usually the longer they stay in store, the worse they get..

 

[D-Nak]

Neptune had a few blue gigs and some magnificas (all sick) a few weeks ago, but killed them all because they thought treatment was not needed.

Wow... I'm surprised Robert brought them in. He's told me in the past that he doesn't like ordering carpet nems.

 

[Pinkskunk]

i guess he gave it another shot and it didnt workout. i would prefer he doent try again because this guy doesnt believe in treating sick nems or even attempt to save them.

we remove them from their environment and dont even attempt to save them its just not right.

Neptune had a few blue gigs and some magnificas (all sick) a few weeks ago, but killed them all because they thought treatment was not needed.

Wow... I'm surprised Robert brought them in. He's told me in the past that he doesn't like ordering carpet nems.

 

[OrionN]

As long as he is not looking worst as you observe him from day to day, then he most likely not sick. If he is not improving at the LFS, then he will need treatment

 

[vhuang168]

It's at Neptune actually.
I'm pretty sure it's a gig but I could be wrong. The colors are close, maybe this one is directly under the lights and fluorescing more? Idk.

Didn't see any blue gigs, they did get some mags but they came in after the toxic green gigs I'm pretty sure.

 

[D-Nak]

It's at Neptune actually.
I'm pretty sure it's a gig but I could be wrong. The colors are close, maybe this one is directly under the lights and fluorescing more? Idk.

Didn't see any blue gigs, they did get some mags but they came in after the toxic green gigs I'm pretty sure.

The next time you're there, snap a few photos so we can give you a proper ID.

Depending on which wholesaler/exporter Robert used, many just state Stichodactyla sp. on their order sheet, so Robert may not even know what he got.

None of the LFS in the Bay Area treat their anemones. The only LFS somewhat near us that I know of that treats them is Your Reef in Sac. They treat them off site, then bring them in when a customer inquires about them. The price is on the high side, but worth it if you're not wanting to QT the nem yourself.

To answer your original question, 4 weeks is how long I'd wait. After this point, the nem will either be dead or alive without the infection -- though if in less than optimal conditions will may not appear healthy (bleached, not fully inflated, etc.).

Again, if the clownfish are dive bombing the nem's mouth, it's a sign that the nem is in trouble.

If you're serious about acquiring a gig, read up on the QT process and order Cipro. This way, once a gig arrives at the LFS, assuming it's not too beat up looking, you can take it home immediately and start QTing it yourself. This will give you the best chance of having a healthy gig.

 

[vhuang168]

I think they are Haddonis.

Color around the mouth, shorter tentacles and no spots underneath

 

[addictedreefer]

I think they are Haddonis.

Color around the mouth, shorter tentacles and no spots underneath

yep

 

[OrionN]

Haddoni's as a group are fairly hardy. If he have been in the LFS for 1 month and is not declining, it is likely safe to assume that he is not infected. But really, setup a treatment tank is no big deal. It is a lot cheaper than the cost of one nice Gignatea, Haddoni or Magnifica. At least for the price that I have to pay for these anemones here in South Texas

 

[CoralsAddiction]

It's a blessing in disguise. A good looking and healthy Haddoni. Good luck!

 

[m0nkie]

man I just love the Haddoni neon colors... it will make all your corals look pale in comparison

 

[ThRoewer]

Wow... I'm surprised Robert brought them in. He's told me in the past that he doesn't like ordering carpet nems.

i guess he gave it another shot and it didnt workout. i would prefer he doent try again because this guy doesnt believe in treating sick nems or even attempt to save them.

we remove them from their environment and dont even attempt to save them its just not right.

Yep, he put a nice blue gig straight in a display tank (together with a mag and some BTAs). I told them that it was sick and needed treatment, but the guys there told me that he wouldn't do it. Needless to say that it died and pulled all the other nems in there with it into Davy Jones' Locker.

Their fish system is also a catastrophe in the making - a fertile breeding ground for all kind of nasty diseases.
And before it was up they kept all their fish in the coral tanks which are also nice disease breeding grounds.

I feel the guys working there are pretty frustrated with how things are handled there.

Wild fish and carpet anemones are best at Aquatic Collections.
Baja Reef was great with pacific and Caribbean fish and especially clownfish. They also had always LTAs BTAs malus and several other anemones. And where else can you pick among hundreds of bluespot jawfish? It's a shame that Steve had to close - I really hope sometimes in the future he opens up again somewhere else.
The best (and largest) haddonis I've seen so far at Aquarium Concepts.
California Reef Co is great with corals