Purple LTA wont eat...need help

[stogie]

I recently bought a big beautiful Purple LTA. I am now regretting this decision. I didnt read up on the care of this animal or clownfish pairing prior to purchase......I am such an idiot. I got frustrated at not being able to get Rod's Onyx clowns and RBTA and made a impulse buy. I have 120 reef tank with thriving corals and stable conditions good enough to grow acro's. I have a IC T5 retro for lighting.
I recently read the FAQ's stick post and am now concerned.This guy still has good color but I can tell he is fading. He has no sticky to his tentacles and does not bring food to his mouth. The foot is burried in the "Rock pocket" that I made for him, and he has not moved. I do not have any sand in my tank for him. At night the stalk rises up about 4" and he is well extended and swaying in the current. During the day the "stalk is not visible but the tentacles are still inflated. I noticed a ring of sloughed skin around his stalk. I siphoned it off him today with no ill effect. I tried feeding it some Rod''s food but he wouldnt take it. It has only been in my tank for about week. Any tricks or tips for me.I will try to post a pic tomorrow when the lights come on.

 

[Julio]

what kind of flow do you have over the anemone?

 

[stogie]

Julio,


I have pretty good flow in my tank. I place a MJ1200 just over top him to get some flow, but not enough to irritate him. today I observed him well extended, than about 20 minutes later he bagan to flatten out again. I am going to shade his portion of the tank to see if he does better. He is most extended at night time when lights are off.

 

[stogie]

Good news. I went to a LFS today and they gave me a couple of silversides. My LTA took the fish and ate it. It didnt move agressively by it did happen. Whew......I was getting worried

 

[Julio]

good to hear. did it open up.

 

[stogie]

Here is the update. Later the next day I noticed the silverside laying on the ground next to anemone. Later the next day the anemone decided it didn't like the rock it was in and made the move out. I barricaded it with live rock to keep it wandering. While in search of its new home it has a gaping mouth and goes to about 1/2 size during the day.
I am not feeling so good about how this is going. I decided tonight to place a large bowl of sand in the tank to encourage this nem to take hold(I have a BB tank). the foot was quit stuck down to the glass but with gentle persuasion and time I got it to let go. Also the tentacles are now sticky, and the color is still good. I am waiting to see how my expiriment with the bowl of sand works out.