Help please--BTA not doing well

[nehsmit]

I have a 24g AIO tank. Parameters--sg1.025, temp 78, ph 8.1, amm/ite/ates 0. I have a gbta I put in 2 weeks ago. Tank is 4 months old. Have hermits and skunk cleaner besides 2 clowns and a yasha Hashe/pistol combo and a peppermint shrimp. I came back from vaca Saturday and the lower half was deflated. I spot fed and he took them no problem and completely deflated. Openned up later but deflated again. Sunday I did a water change (20%). His bottom half is still deflated. Today he is more deflated and his mouth is open.

Any thoughts please? PLEASE PLEASE HELP.

 

[reef_corgi]

What kind of light do you use?

 

[nehsmit]

MH 150w 14k

 

[SkullV]

It may just be the photo but the anemone looks very bleached (unhealthy). Your lighting may actually be too much for it right now. It is going to need a lot of TLC and spot feeding to have the energy to stay alive.

 

[nehsmit]

Skullv--what kind of tlc? Tell me what to do please.

I can spot feed mysis right now. How often should i do this?

 

[garygb]

I agree, based on the photo the anemone looks somewhat bleached. I would feed a small amount of food, say the size of a pea every other day. This will provide nutrients to the anemone and also to the zooxanthellae so it can regain it's more natural, darker color. Your parameters look okay. I would suggest small, 10% water changes weekly until the anemone is looking healthy. Then you can return to 20% monthly if you choose.

 

[nehsmit]

I just spot fed him some mysis. He was sticky (based on the mysis that landed on him stuck to his tentacles). He immediately closed up after a few pieces landed on him.

1. Is this what I should be doing every other day?

2. I also noticed that my peppermint shrimp, blue hermit, and red hermit came right up to him to take food away from him. Is this normal? If not what should I do?

garygb--why only 10% as opposed to larger changes? Is this to NOT take away too many nutrients?

Thanks all.

 

[reef_corgi]

MH 150w 14k

150w is much for 24 gallons. 70w MH would be better.

I wish you luck.

 

[SkullV]

150w is much for 24 gallons. 70w MH would be better.

I wish you luck.

Not true.

 

[Zalman]

It might not be bleached...is it one of the more fluorescent colored gbtas? Some are just a lighter green. Is it releasing anything into the water? sometimes mine deflate a bit to expell some waste.

 

[garygb]

Yes, feeding as you did every other day should be sufficient. You can feed mysis, small pieces of squid, fresh shrimp from the grocery store seafood dept., silverside, scallop (also from the grocery store).

You asked why only 10%. Small, frequent water changes are the ideal. Most of us get into a less frequent, larger quantity regimen because it's easier. However, with an animal that is not at the peak of health, it's wise to be more attentive and go with the 10% weekly regimen for a month or two until that anemone has rallied and doing well.

 

[garygb]

I just realized I didn't answer your question about how to deal with the shrimp and crabs. If you give them a little food to occupy them, then they probably won't go after the anemones. You can also make sure the crustaceans aren't in proximity to the anemone when you feed. By the time they start to go after the food, the anemone will probably already be taking it into it's mouth. It's very common for shrimps and crabs to try and steal food. It's more of an annoyance than dangerous, you just have to make sure when you target feed that the anemone is getting its food.

 

[naglfar]

150w is perfect for a 24 gallon. Might just be the new tank or any other number of small things. Even stirring your sandbed can tick them off at times.

 

[nehsmit]

Thanks all for the help.

I fed him last night. Should I feed again today?

He actually moved a little down the rock. His body is wide open just lying There but his mouth is closed. How do i know if he's dead? I don't smell anything.

 

[lil_man72]

i would stick to the pea size every other day like mentioned. i've lost a couple in the past and when they are dead it's pretty easy to tell. so if you can't tell he's probably still alive.

 

[nehsmit]

Thanks lil_man. He basically has 3/4 of his tentacles completely shriveled up. Only 25% still look ok. His mouth is still shut. My fear now is him crashing my tank. Is it better just to pull him out and call it a day?

 

[garygb]

Pics?