is this normal

[chillaxr6]

ive bought a bta and a clarkii last week and it moved around the rock formation and has by the look of it settled into a little rock alcove for the foot. i have a few questions in regards to its health . . .

1. Is it normal for clowns to eat tentacles??? i saw my clarkii eat a withered tentacle and was a worried.

2. Do the thickness of tentacles change or should they be uniform over the anemone. I have a section of withered little tentacles but the tentacles that are closer to the lights are ful andthick while the ones down the bottom of the anemone are 1/3 the thickness . . .

3. Should i be worried if the anemone is fully open???

 

[IslandCrow]

My maroon will sometimes grab a hold of a tentacle with his mouth. It really doesn't look like he's trying to eat it. . .more like just give it a little tug. I have no idea why.

Anyway, I'm going to tag along. I'm pretty curious about the answer to that question in particular.

 

[marxsman]

Yes,Yes and Yes. My Maroon clowns are always eating the tenacle of the anemone. IMO it helps them with their relationship. It helps them prevent from being stung because they ingest it and build immunity.
I also see my female clown eating the tenacles off my frogspwan. They also play in this. Sometimes I see them pick at the tenacles and rip them off and spit them out.

 

[stykthyn]

the anemone migh still be adjusting to you tank. give it a while and see if it fully opens up. what kind of lights are you running? How old is your tank?

 

[chillaxr6]

uhmm i think im running 260w of fluros. . . coralstar globes
and the tank has ben runnning for nearly 4 mnths . . .
was it too early to put the anemone in yet???

can they over open??? silly question i know but my light cycle is from 3pm till 10pm so i can sit and watch em when i come home and well at about 7 - 8pm it is fully open im guessing with it taking up nearly 6 inches in diameter . . . its a bta and my clarkii seems right at home in . . . just worried about a few weary looking tentacles and they all seem to be at the bottom of the mushroom head . . .

 

[stykthyn]

IMHO it is a little early for an anemone, try upping your photoperiod to 12 hrs, 11am-11pm. Most of my corals take at least a week or two to really open up so give it a little while and see what happens. Have you tried feeding it? But if it is only a few tentacles I wouldnt worry about it.