Normal for H. magnifica anemone?

[rblackdvm]

I've had this small ritteri (approximately 2-3" when fully expanded) for a week now. It stayed put for a day or two then wondered and has settled underneath a rock ledge as pictured. His color is great and it even balled up last night when the lights went off. I acclimated it for 24 hours to the LED lights in my tank, but I wonder if that wasn't long enough?

Tank:
55 gallon 1 year old live rock mixed reef
Two Hydor Koralia 2 600 gph powerheads (currently covered with foam)
Current USA 48" Marine LED's (192 total LED's)
pH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0-.25 ppm (just fed about an hour before testing)
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0

It has deflated once after I put it in the tank but since has been inflated. Just seems weird that an animal that by all accounts can't get enough light wants to stay in the shade.

 

[addictedreefer]

Can't be certain because the picture is unclear, but I believe that is a BTA, not magnifica. In any event, detectable ammonia is unacceptable for either species. A well established tank should not spike to detectable levels of ammonia after feeding.

 

[pittscoral]

looks like a bta, and mine hang out under rocks all the time tell the pop there heads out during the day

 

[addictedreefer]

Your other values would also be helpful: temp, salinity and alk.

 

[rblackdvm]

Sorry, temp is 78 and salinity 1.024. BTAs have purple bases like that? The LFS had him listed as a purple based bubble anemone but all my research into pointed towards H. mag. I'd be happy either way.

 

[addictedreefer]

Purple base BTAs are less common but not especially rare by any means.

 

[rblackdvm]

OK as long as it looks happy, I'm happy. It is water change day anyway so that should take care of the ammonia.

 

[addictedreefer]

You need to identify the root cause of the ammonia. Water changes are just a band aid. As stated before, a healthy established tank should never read detectable ammonia. How long has your rock been established? Have you recently added new rock? Any recent die off or fish deaths? How much are you feeding? Any feeding accidents? What is your bio load?

 

[addictedreefer]

Forgot to mention: what type of water do you use for topping off and water changes? Have you checked TDS lately?

 

[rblackdvm]

I added about 3 pounds of dead rock a month ago. No die offs other than an occasional snail. I top of with filtered water treated with Prime. I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt mix for water changes. Also use a Coralife Pro 65 skimmer. Bioload: 2 ocellaris clownfish, 1 Flame Goby, one small Molly Miller Blenny. There are various corals (mostly LPS). No feeding accidents. I feed twice daily usually marine flakes occasionally frozen prepared products for a change up.

 

[addictedreefer]

I added about 3 pounds of dead rock a month ago. No die offs other than an occasional snail. I top of with filtered water treated with Prime. I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt mix for water changes. Also use a Coralife Pro 65 skimmer. Bioload: 2 ocellaris clownfish, 1 Flame Goby, one small Molly Miller Blenny. There are various corals (mostly LPS). No feeding accidents. I feed twice daily usually marine flakes occasionally frozen prepared products for a change up.

Dead rock likely put you through a mini cycle. Also, I am sure you know that tap water + prime is not ideal. Switching to good RODI water will go a long way to improving the health of your system. Until these issues are address, I advise you to stay away from sensitive creatures like anemones.

 

[rblackdvm]

Yeah I wish I had RO/DI. Just not feasible at the moment. I plan to upgrade later this year and will install a system then. I'll keep a close eye on everything. Thanks.

 

[rblackdvm]

Update* Anemone has been doing great. It moved toward the front of the tank. It definitely is a BTA, as I can see the white lines around the mouth.

 

[OrionN]

Ammonia is an unreliable and subjective test. Sometime you can see color when there is none. I would not worry too much about it if the animal are doing well. Added LR 1 month ago is not going to cause ammonia problem.
Your anemone is a BTA, not a Magnifica.