H. Crispa - sick? Something is wrong...help?

[mareintx]

There is something terribly wrong with my sebae anemone!! It has shrunk down to about 1/8th it's normal size and is stringing out slime of some sort.

I made a huge mistake by getting this guy; I hadn't done my research. But it had been doing fine until last night. My tank started crashing on Saturday. I had a fire fish and two clowns die in two days. I have a royal gramma in QT now.

I have a BioCube 14
has been set up for about 5 months.

Current conditions are:
SG @ 84*F = 1.023
pH = 8.4
ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 20 (!!!)

I was out of town when the crash began. When I returned home on the 19th (three days ago) the stats were:
pH = 8.4
ammonia = 0.25
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 10

My well intentioned hubby went to the LFS Monday and bought something called Fritz-zyme turbo start saltwater 900 and put it in my tank (and THEN told me). It is a bacteria supplement. I think this may have caused the problem?

I have no idea what to do. The QT has ich treatment in it - so I can't put the nem in there. Help? Please?

Here are some pics from last night about 8:30pm - it was getting more compact by the minute it seemed...

I know that I made a huge mistake by getting it. I, stupidly, listened to the LFS guy and believed him. (never again) I know that the nem is totally bleached (found that out after I got it home and did some research). I'm working on upgrading my lights and I have been feeding it shrimp and crab along with the frozen food I feed the other fish. It has been eating well. I have been doing water changes every 5 days, is that not enough? I don't have a skimmer; I can get a new one if I need to.

This morning it was opened back up and looked more normal.

The temp in the tank last night was high, I turned down the heater and this morning the temp was back to it's normal 78*. Could the high temp have caused the problem?

Thanks for your replys and help - I sure need it!

 

[Toddrtrex]

[welcome]

The easiest, and best solution is to take it back the the LFS -- if possible.

First, it is going to outgrow your tank (( assuming it recovers )), the last H. Crispa took up about 1/3 of my 75.
Not only is it bleached, but it appears that it was dyed yellow first, so it has a 2 strikes against it.

But, if you can't take it back...
Raise your SG up to 1.026.
Do frequent water changes -- need to get your ammonia down to 0.
How high did the temp go?
What lights does this tank have?

 

[mareintx]

Hi, and thanks for the welcome. I've lurked for a long time....

Ammonia is at 0; nitrites were high. I think this is due to hubby adding the bacteria and the tank is finishing a mini-cycle...but not sure.

I've had the nem for about 2 weeks and it was doing fine until last night.

Temp got up to 84*.

I can not take it back. I do have in the works getting a much larger tank (100+ gallons) so in the near future I'll be able to move the nem to the bigger tank.

BC has stock lighting. New bulbs - but that isn't helpful to the nem, I know. I'm ordering a 4 bulb T5 unit today to help with the lighting....

I'm just between a rock and a hard spot I guess...I just want it to live.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Do you allow your temps to swing, or are do they normally stay within a degree or two? (( if you allow them to swing, the 84* wouldn't be an issue, but if they don't swing, going up 6* could cause it stress ))

Given the lights you have, and the condition that the anemone is in, you are going to have to start feeding it. (( I personally use frozen/thawed krill, but anything similar will work. I would avoid silversides at all costs )). The key is to feed it small pieces more frequently, as opposed to a large piece once in a while -- harder for the anemone to digest large pieces and can cause issues.

However, with the extra feedings, your water quality is going to go downhill (( but you are going to have to fed it if you want it to make it until the lager tank is ready )) -- so you are going to have to step up the water changes. I would go 2 gallons every other day -- but make sure that the parameters match b/t the tank water and water change water.

 

[mareintx]

Ok, thanks.

My temps do not fluctuate - I have no idea what happened to the heater. Although, our temps have been all wonky down here and yesterday it was 87* outside so.... I totally freaked out when I saw the temp in my tank was so high.

I've been feeding the nem shrimp and crab all finely minced along with the frozen food I feed the fish. I normally do water changes every 3-5 days. I will do them more often now. How often should I feed the nem? With feeding do I need to get the upgraded lights still or not as urgently?

I really appreciate the help!!

 

[Toddrtrex]

Sure thing.

When you get the larger tank running, I would allow the temps to swing a bit -- but that is a topic for a different time, and allowing them to swing a bit isn't really easy to do with your current set up.

I would still order the lights -- unless you already have the larger tank up and running, and it has been running for a couple of months. It is going to be some time before you will be able to move the anemone, so going to need to increase the lights (( but will have to acclimate it to the lights -- can address that when you have the lights )).

I would try to feed it every other day (( opposite of the water changes )), but do not force it to eat (( not saying that you are, but want to be clear )).

 

[BonsaiNut]

Almost looks like it was spawning. In the third photo I think I see eggs. Aside from being bleached, it doesn't look too bad to me. Brighter light, and feeding in the manner Todd suggests, and you may end up being really happy with it. It will get big on you, however.

 

[Fretfreak13]

I REALLY think it was just pooping. Shrink up and excrete waste, and then they'll be fine the next day. The PCs in your Biocube will not support that nem though, sorry to say. Also, four fish in a 14 gallon is almost pushing it.