missing annenome

[fishfreak2407]

I watched my NEW small( qaurter size) bubble tip close up an fall of a rock to the bottom of my nano last night. I didnt see him this morning? should I rummage through the nano or let it stew for a day or two?? thnx.

 

[Amphiprion]

If it fell off, meaning completely detached, then there is a problem somewhere down the line. I would try to find it carefully, because a detached anemone is an "unhappy" one.

 

[fishfreak2407]

ya thats what i thought , all my water test o,k any idea why on the first night he was all puffed up and looked o.k and the nekt day small and sad? anyway thnx for your input

p.s should I take him back to the lfs if he isnt completely a gonner?

 

[Amphiprion]

Unfortunately, anemones are not the easiest animals to keep. There are many factors we can take into account and possibly remedy, but there are even more that we can't. If possible, give a complete list of testable parameters (numbers, please), setup, other inhabitants, etc. We may be able to narrow it down a bit.

 

[fishfreak2407]

o.k time to show my newbieness......p.h 8.4....trates 0..trites 0 ammonia.25?? (I am raising p.h with buffer and ammonia is a little high) calcium good. some hermits 2...some shrimp2.....2 clowns.....purple mushrooms 5....one large snail.....alge blenni...1

thats it.......oh wait its a 5gal nano 18w p.c on for eight hrs on a timer, now thats it

thnx

 

[Amphiprion]

Ok. I can't say that it is the entire problem, but the ammonia is not helping in the slightest. I assume you are not using the buffer anymore, since the pH is at 8.4 now (doesn't need to get much higher). I think a water change is in order. You may also want to reconsider the 2 clowns and blenny in such a small tank. That may very well be the root of the problem. I think a bare minimum for 2 smaller (ocellaris, percula) clowns should be around 20 gallons. I would reduce your population to one fish for that size tank--it is definitely overloaded.

 

[fishfreak2407]

...o.k I guess I will have to move some stuff out.I was hopeing I could get away with the fish if I kept up on my maintenece.and I know the annenome was probably a mistake too man it just keep getting worse, at this rate(AND RIGHTLY SO )I will be down to a blenny ,shrimp ,and crabs and a snail??...............If I was able to upgrade to a 12-24 gall nano could I transfer the 5gall contents add some live sand and rock and keep going or would I be asking for a cycle

thnx again

oh and I see you have 6gal, what do you keep in it?

 

[Amphiprion]

Sounds like a good plan. A larger tank would allow you to keep your fish in the same tank (24 gallon that is), but you will still have to keep up regular water changes, etc.) and reduce, if not eliminate some problems. If you do upgrade, there will be a slight cycle, but probably not significant--especially if you monitor it and do water changes.

Heh, I made my 6 gallon as maintenance free as possible by having NO fish . It only has an "antler" anemone, some cerith snails, some Caulerpa macroalgae. Soon, I plan to get a mated pair of the golden or yellow banded coral shrimp to add movement and diversity, as well as some Caribbean native polyps, etc.

 

[fishfreak2407]

good info thnx....and your 6 gal sounds nice

 

[REEFKEEPA]

Get at least a 10.

 

[jumpincactus]

I agree with Amphiprion a loose anenome is unhappy. Anenomes will usually travel around your tank until they find a spot that suits them. After that point they will attach and stay for years.

It was also said ealier that they are at best difficult to keep. I tend to agree with this as there is lots of reading out there that supports this theory. Here is a great link for reading up on anenomes and thier care. Once there just click the link. It is very informative..........http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=298642