Is it dead yet?

[Pamelahaley]

Well, I think my question is answered by the mouth gaping much less when I got home but, the foot is stretching and still attached. this guy's only been happy since the first few days in the tank... then my nitrates began to spike and I've been battling it ever since. It appears they rest somewhere between 0-15ppm at the highest was about 30... He's been in for about a month now.

Ive changed the water regularly (a lot at first), the chemipure, rinsed the filter media and added purigen and cut back on some feeding to try and lower nitrates.

It's been moving all over the tank. I just moved the rock for this picture partially because it was uncomfortably close to the overflow as well.

It probably also has some to do with a poor decision I made back at the store when I still paid full price and took it home despite the LFS tearing the foot... hey, it's still kicking so, iono...

Anyways, Ideas on how to save this poor thing?

 

[GoTRiCe19]

what kind of nem is that? What lighting and what is your other water pram?

 

[Pamelahaley]

GBT

2 36w 50/50

Sal 1.125
Cal 180
pH 8.2
Ni 0

I've had a thriving nem in this tank before but it was a condy if that makes a difference. The lights are about 3 months old.

This one keeps trying to hide from the light.

 

[Pamelahaley]

It was expanding this morning when I left for work while still lights out... I just hope it doesn't end up in the filter or get too stressed from the light. It started at the bottom front corner of the tank and has gone counter clockwise up between rocks. It stayed in the same place for the 3 days I was gone but, it just looked like it was about to eat sand.

 

[GoTRiCe19]

how is the mouth? Getting smaller or still look like the first pic?

 

[Tmoriarty]

I can only assume that your Cal is not really at 180, or your Cal is extremly low for a reef tank (should be upwards of 450ish). If your Cal that low what is your alk/mag like?? I see frogspawn and such in your tank so I do not think there is anyways your Cal is that low.

On a side note, while low nitrates are "recommended" for a reef tank, corals such as frogspawns and some others like a little "dirtier" water. I have found that BTA's can do just fine at even 30ppm Nitrates as long as everything else is on par. I have kept them healthy numerous times at 30ppm nitrates with no issues.

On to your question, no that gaping mouth does not mean it is dead yet, when you see it start to "dissolve" it is dead. Until then it will go through numerous inflation/deflation cycles, which are not good for it obvoiusly. There is a good chance you may not be able to save that nem, it may have came in with an infection or a previous injury to its foot that could be causing the issues you are having now.

The only thing you can do at this point is to leave it alone and keep water conditions prestine. Run some new carbon and possibly decrease your lighting cycle to help it adjust to the tank. Do a decent size water change, perhaps a few over a week or so of 20%.

Best of luck, if the nem doesn't make it and you are keeping other corals without issue (IE frogspawns) then there is a good chance the nem was doomed from the start.

 

[Pamelahaley]

Yes, the foot was torn a little when I got it from LFS. Bad buy onmy part. The mouth did get smaller after a few hours of turning it over. I'm not sure this morning, just saw the body was expanded. You are right, cal is probably more like 280 but, I'm getting by with mardel strips ATM. I'll go get a better test on Thursday and until then, lll cut back on the light cycle and do another w/c. Thank you!

 

[Pamelahaley]

This isn't a good pic but I turned the lights on for a second to get it. This is what it looks like every night after the lights go out. The mouth is wide open.

http://distilleryimage0.instagram.com/c31fd67cec0911e18c261231381b5c32_6.jpg

I also did a 25% water change today and added a 6 line wrasse... I hope it doesn't nuke me... The wrasse took to the tank really well. I think it was the smoothest acclimation ever. The Onyx clown is going to have to get used to him. The PJ cardinal is merely intrigued.