new gigantea--wish me luck!

[Jamie1210]

Had this guy for 1 week and 1 day so far. A bit bleached, but hopefully can regain color. When I picked him up, the mouth wasn't gaping, but was slightly open. Now it alternates between slightly open and closed.

Some things to note:

1. first few days seemed to be doing well. Great feeding response to Rod's food.
2. Then on day 3, it decided it wasn't happy and detached. I repositioned him, and stupid me decided to try feeding it again (every other day). Then it started looking bad--gaping mouth, and not taking food, doing the inflating/deflating thing. I thought it was a goner. I thought that the food was stressing it, so I vowed to quit harassing it w/food until I KNOW it's settled.
3. Detached AGAIN on Day 5, but I noticed that the inflating/deflating became less frequent.
4. Repositioned it and noticed that despite its stress, it's EXTREMELY sticky, even when it was unhappy.
5. In its current spot for 1 day yet, and seems MUCH happier. Have not tried to feed it again ... will give it a couple more days.

Really hope this guy makes it! Right now, just taking it day by day--heck, I'm thrilled he's even survived a week in my tank so far! Will keep you guys posted.

 

[Jamie1210]

Also, just some tank stats for anyone who's interested:

Tank has been set up for almost 2 years now. It's a barebottom, 55 gallon mixed reef w/LPS, SPS, and some BTAs (running carbon just in case of chemical warfare). Gets alternating flow from the left and right (heavier on the left side) from an oceans motions squirt, lighting is 250 Watts of 14K metal halide light.

 

[Doe5ia14]

It does look a little bleached but hopefully with some tlc it will make a good recovery. Where did you pick up the gig?

 

[elegance coral]

I wish you luck! I'm working on one similar to that right now myself.

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

I wish you luck! I'm working on one similar to that right now myself.

Elegance-I live in Orlando, where do you get your anemones? I haven't found any stores with nems that impress me. WWC sometimes gets them, but that is hit and miss

 

[Jamie1210]

Thanks for the responses. I picked up the gigantea at my LFS, who said they've already had it for a week there. We'll see what happens!

 

[jonnybravo22]

it may be moving because it doesnt want to be out in the open on the rocks.

IME they like to be at the rock/sand interface where they can anchor themselves to the base of the rock. that's what mine is doing and he hasnt moved in 3 months from the moment he got that spot.

if he moves / you reposition again give that some thought. also others may tell you sand is required, but i actually dont think it is. gigs in my experience will attach to the base of the rock even when at the bottom of the tank so they dont burrow under sand. i have a less than 1/4 inch sand layer and my clowns have pretty well fanned that sand all away near the gig so i dont think it does much for gig's happiness.

good luck.

 

[chilihedkc]

I have had good luck only feeding mine once a week or so. They are photosynthetic.

 

[Jamie1210]

just a small update:

the gig deflated last night when lights went out, but I'm not too worried bc the deflating looked like the kind my BTAs do at night sometimes. Plus, the mouth was closed. This morning, it was still deflated (and looked much like last night), but I noticed it was starting to inflate again right before I left. The mouth still looked ok.

jonnybravo, I've read that a lot of gigs like the rock/sand interface, however, the emphasis seems to be placed on a lot of surge/alternating flow, and if I were to place mine closer to the floor of the tank, the flow would not hit it as dramatically. But if it starts moving again, then I will give your suggestion a try.

 

[WaffleWalffle22]

I like the hammer coral behind it.

 

[Jamie1210]

when I got home from work, not much improvement, although it looks much the same as when I saw it at the LFS last Sunday.

I tried feeding it some rod's food, only to have a slow feeding response, and then eventually spit the food back out again. I know I stressed it out even further by doing that.

To ppl who have successfully nursed a sick/stress gig back from health, when the mouth is open like this, do you guys still attempt to feed it? Or do you recommend laying off the feeding for a few days?

Thanks in advance ...

 

[Jamie1210]

interestingly, exactly 1 hour later, the mouth is closed

interestingly, exactly 1 hour later, the mouth is closed

1 hour later, the mouth is closed ... man, these gigs LOVE toying with our hopes!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

very nice anemone.

similar coloration to mine.

 

[Jamie1210]

wafflewaffle--thanks for the compliment on the green hammer! When I saw it, i just HAD it get it!

Gary--when I saw this multicolor at the store, I totally thought of your thread on this site. I don't think I've ever commented in it, but believe me, I've been stalking it Your gig is beautiful! Assuming mine actually survives this and colors up, I wonder if it will end up looking even more like yours.

Elegance coral, how is your gig doing so far?

Small update: right now the mouth has loosened up a tiny bit from when I last took the picture. But otherwise, it looks ok.

 

[Jamie1210]

update as of today:

the mouth still opens a bit, but the 'nem is still inflated.

squirted some cyclopeeze close to its mouth. once again, appeared to eat it, only to spit it all out 10 mins later.

do you guys recommend feeding an anemone when the mouth is open? should i continue feeding it small squirts of cyclopeeze?

 

[ChuckG]

update as of today:

the mouth still opens a bit, but the 'nem is still inflated.

squirted some cyclopeeze close to its mouth. once again, appeared to eat it, only to spit it all out 10 mins later.

do you guys recommend feeding an anemone when the mouth is open? should i continue feeding it small squirts of cyclopeeze?

Suggest you search this forum on the keyword "gigantea" and pay careful attention to posts made by Gary above and a few others, Rod for example, on how best to care for the gigantea. There are many golden nuggets out there to be found.

I have read a few posts similar to yours and the recommendations I have seen is do not feed it until it is settled and stable.. feeding can stress the animal while it is aclimating. Once you do feed it use very small minced foods as the larger items can cause problems. In the interim and going forward provide it as much light and non direct surging flow as you can. I have no direct experience and have only read these things.. it will probably serve you well to do the same.

Good luck