Not so sticky: carpet anemone probem

[Poorcollegereef]

So I was able to find a fairly bleached green carpet anemone for $19 bucks at my LFS. Although it isnt in the greatest shape, it didnt have any cuts or bacterial infections so I bought it. This isnt the first time I have done this. About 4 months ago I bought a BTA that was in a similar condition and now it is doing pretty good and even has bubble tips. My question: Has anyone been able to "resurrect" a bleached carpet and are there any extra things I can do to aid the process? I already have two Amphiprion ocellaris that have adopted the new carpet and I have hear that iron supplements help too. The biggest problem that I am worried about is that the captet's foot doesnt attach well, Is there anything extra I can do?

 

[jay24k]

IMO, I would let it die at the LFS. They shouldn't get them in if they can't keep it in good condition.

However since you bought it, I would keep it fed and in a nice light source. Water quality, light, and food will be all you can do. Stick it in a lower flow so it doesn't fly around.

 

[isseym328]

If you just recently gotten the carpet I would suggest not feeding it for a while. This is because the carpet is stressed and getting adjusted to your tank parameters. Feeding it just means the carpet has to utilize more energy...energy it needs to adjust. This is even more important in your situation since the carpet is bleached it will take longer for it to acclimate. Also from my experience having clownfishes hosting in the carpet while it is adjusting/healing does not help. Depending on the size of the carpet if it is too small for a pair of clowns it could actually die from them swimming around in it. If the carpet is healthy when it enters your tank there's probably no problems but I worry about the healthy of a bleached carpet especially with two clowns already hosting in it.

 

[jay24k]

Well imo it needs to get energy back and it might need a boost. Light alone might not allow it to survive. That's why I would try small amounts of food. If it isn't sticky to accept food then you will have to hope light and water quality will help it get back so it can eat.

 

[snulma1]

a strawberry box with a little bit of foam around the edges to help it float and move with the current keeping the carpet submerged will help. I did that when one of mine wandered into an intake of an seio. But just keep an eye on it. If it starts to deteriorate, take him out.

 

[Poorcollegereef]

Update, Anemone is still living. Its about 5 inches in diameter when expanded. I have him in a live rock 'playpen' to keep off of the sand and from being blown around, but I still have some medium current all around the area. it appears be starting to attack itself to a rock, so I guess thats a good sign, but it has yet to accept food. (I tried to place a mysis shrimp on its tenticles but it lost it in about 5 mins.) No signs of infection or rot. Water parameters are near perfect. Nitrate >2ppm, SP 1.0225-1.023, Temp. 80.5 pH 8.3. No Nitrite or Ammonia.The Anemone gets plenty of light. (150watts from 16 inches away, 12 inches water) The clowns
(1 7/8 & 1 1/4 inches) have not harrassed it too much. So I am hopeful. I know I should not have bought it, but I wanted the challenge. Plus my LFS has gone down the tubes since a change in ownership. But its also the only game in town and I dont want to drive an hour to my favorite not-so-local fish store. Thanks for your suggestions