H. Magnifica question

[Sandslug]

On 08/12 I added an H.Magnifica. the body stays firm, the mouth is closed, but the tenticles go flaccid approximately once per day. Is this normal, or something to be concerned about? It is sticky enough to grab mysis, but my percs remove them. for info, parameters are as follows:

temp 79f
ph 8.4
alk 3.9 meg/l
mg 1360
calc 420
ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and PO4 are undetectable
all tests by Salifert

 

[phender]

Re: H. Magnifica question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13163332#post13163332 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sandslug
On 08/12 I added an H.Magnifica. the body stays firm, the mouth is closed, but the tenticles go flaccid approximately once per day. Is this normal, or something to be concerned about? It is sticky enough to grab mysis, but my percs remove them. for info, parameters are as follows:

I'm sorry that I don't know how to correct the situation, but no it is not good that the tentacles wilt once a day and its hold on the mysis should be strong enough to keep the food from the clowns, at least mine is strong enough to keep the food for itself.

 

[garygb]

What's your specific gravity? Since you just added the anemone a few days ago, I would wonder if it is still acclimating to your tank. It can take a week or longer to behave normally.

 

[Sandslug]

Salinity is 35 ppt. I'm hoping it's just an acclimation thing. When I first added it, the mouth was gaping, it took nearly 24 hours for it to close up. Although it's tight now, much of the time it is slightly everted.

 

[elegance coral]

If it were my anemone, I would move the fish. The Mag needs time to build up its strength. After the Mag has a good strong feeding response and seems stable, I wold return the fish.

Do the tentacles go flaccid at about the same time every evening? If so it may be having issues acclimating to the photoperiod. A slight reduction in photoperiod may solve the problem.

 

[garygb]

35ppt is perfect for the salinity. It's a good sign that the mouth is closed tight. Maybe try to feed every few days, it's not unusual that it doesn't eat for the first week or so. I would try a little piece of silverside or shrimp. Put the piece of food (say the size of a peanut) on the tentacles nearest the mouth. Sometimes a little wiggle of the food stimulates the anemone to close in taking the food to the mouth, which tends to extend out to take the food in. Providing perfect water conditions is key, the feeding response will most likely come soon.

 

[Sandslug]

I split the lighting period, two sessions of 4 hours full lighting, separated by a 4 hour rest period. It appears to be doing better now, the tentacles don't wilt as badly and they recuperate faster, within 20 minutes. The body is standing up good, and the mouth is no longer everted. I know I'm not out of the woods yet, but I feel optimistic. It's not taking food yet, though; I keep the clowns away, but it releases the food after a short time.