Is my Anemone dying?

[ajonessn]

My Bulb anenomy has been struggling for over a week now. I noticed the presence of Nitrates and Nitrites in my water last Monday and moved him and my other fish to a different tank. Now, a week later, he's look worse, but I really can't tell. Sometimes I think he's dead and just hasn't let go of the rock... other times, he's moving around the rock to several different places.

Any thoughts?

I've attached a set of pictures on his progression in PDF format

 

[Flighty]

Unfortunately that anemone has all the signs of being nearly dead. The white in the center is the internal digestive system. It really does not look healthy in either photo. A healthy anemone would have a tight mouth and long tenticles.

 

[ajonessn]

I agree, but he keeps holding on. I feel terrible watching him this way. I tried feeling him the other day, and he regurgetated all the food he ate. Should I just take him out, or let nature run it's course?

 

[Flighty]

They don't die the way higher organisms do. There is no cut and dry transition between life and death. Larger anemones can hang on for many months. I do not think yours has a chance of recovery, but you never know. Like many corals they can come back from small amounts of healthy tissue and regrow.

 

[stykthyn]

be careful that mouth doesnt open up and spew all of it content into your tank. I had a bubble tip do that and it cleared out my entire reef. I swore off anemone keeping after that.