Randy's Red Haddoni

[Genetics]

Randy, I would stop trying to feed your haddoni for awhile. I can't remember the last time I specifically fed my blue one. I've had him since 2003. From what I've read of the posts, it sounds like you have a stressed out haddoni. Especially, with the reproduction response. I wouldn't worry about sand, remember in the wild these guys know how to deal with this, so the same should be said in a reef tank. The moving and climbing on rocks is another hint at a stress response. Before I had backup power, temperature drop and lack of flow would have my haddoni moving around for a day or two. Finally, it would sit down attached the underside of a rock in the sand. That's when its finally happy. The closing up during lights on happens. Don't know why. I would just stop transferring it and let it settle in.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Day 35.

Thanks folks. I'd be surprised if it needs iodine, as my other anemones do not seem to and I've not seen any evidence in the literature that they do. I also do pretty regular water changes (at least 1% daily), but thanks for the suggestion and I'll consider it going forward.

The anemone has been attached since it entered the refugium, although at times, barely attached. It has worked its way to the bottom of the slanting slate rock, but not especially close to the sand interface. It still lays on its side and occasionally releases some sperm.

I've not fed it or touched it since it relocated. Just watching and waiting at this point. I often cannot see the mouth, but when I have, it seems more open than before. More than quarter sized now. Flow is lower here than the main tank and that might be part of the mouth size increase, but it also might just be a symptom of the continued downward spiral.

 

[Canarygirl]

I wonder if you added a small, relatively gentle percula clownfish if it would irritate your haddoni, or maybe give it a needed boost.

 

[2thdeekay]

Lonely anemone?

It's a beautiful specimen. Sorry about that Randy.

Mohri

 

[RoxingYourSox]

OK this is all just my own ideas of whats going on and I have no way to prove if what im saying is correct so I may be totally wrong. However I think your nem is having problems with the light. I belive its too strong for it at the moment.

I have come too belive lighting could be the cause of alot of anemones dying when first moved to the aquarium after having some problems with my own.

When I first bought my first anemone I found it to wander like crazy and always stayed deflated with a gaping mouth but durring the night it would seem to puff up and look much better. I didnt think anything of this and ofc my first anemone passed away.

My second attempt was with a crispa and it went perfectly. The anemone never defelated durring the day only once every few days in the evenings after a meal. The anemone always looked like it was sun bathing. I sold this on after it outgrowing my tank.

I then purchased 2 bubbletips, both from the same shop and the same tank. I noticed they both stayed deflated and moved arround alot just as my first anemone did. So I was a little worried. needless too say I lost one of them after the first month and they always seemed to look best after the lights were off. So I thought rather than lose the second I would do a test.

I took my main lights off and put a small 18 watt pc light over the tank for a day and too my supprise the hiding shriveled up nem came crawling out of the rocks and opened up. I thought I would put the main lights on again and again it shrunk down and went too hide. I was getting worried at this point as there was no feeding response and it rejected light... So I moved it into a 5 gallon tank with the 18 watt light. yes I know risky but it was going too die anyway. needless too say after 2 days under the low light it would accept food if I held it over the mouth for a few mins. I gradually added more lights 18- 24 - 36 - 60 and then too 150 over the space of 3 months. I kept feeding the new once every three days and it has stopped rejecting light and is now doing great.

I see the same signs in your pictures as I saw in my nem's. If you look at your pictures, your nem never seems to be searching for light and ive found that my healty nems are always point towards the source of light. Also when you nem moved it was kind of pointing down and towards a cave. I see this as an indicator its not moving towards a light source. Mine did the same while hiding but when they needed more light they would first stretch out then reach and then travel upward fully inflated and stretched. They always shrivel or point down when moving away from lights.

Anyway I hope you understand what im trying to get accross and Ill leave it upto you to think it over as ofc you see more of what goes on than I do. Hope this has helped.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Day 35 early evening

Well, the story ends here. I believe it is dead, or soon will be. Face down on the sand, not attached. Some of the tentacles covered in a white goo, and starting to come off the oral disk. Necrotic smell to it. Mouth open about 3" and stomach everted. :thumbdown

I've cut off circulation to the refugium, righted it on a rock, and will watch a little bit to be sure before I put it in the trash, but it is a very sad event.

Thanks to everyone who tried to help out. I very much appreciate it.

Maybe I'll be back with another sometime.

 

[Haddonisreef]

Sad to hear!

 

[puter]

Very sorry to hear that Randy. I know how disappointing it is.

Thank you for taking the time to document the progression. This has been a very informative thread and I suspect, if nothing else, documenting your experience will provide a great number of others the information they need to give their newly imported anemones a fighting chance.

Perhaps, if more people are willing to share their experiences, we'll be able to identify any differences that result in better outcomes.

Better luck next time. That's all you'll need, to be lucky enough to get a healthier speciman to work with...

Mark

 

[Canarygirl]

aaw; that is a big fat bummer.

you certainly gave it a valiant effort.

 

[HighlandReefer]

It certainly is sad. You put your heart into this one and tried everything you could. You can not blame yourself. Maybe you can wait some time and then give her another try. I think that alot of it has to do with the way it arrived to you. I am not blaming the LFS as this is out of their control.

 

[traveller7]

Sad news Randy.

Not sure what I might have done meaningfully different, certainly nothing obvious based on specimens I have lost and those which survived.

Point of note: All of my S. haddoni that have not stayed in the sand bed have died. This includes (2) formerly acclimated long term specimens which did not acclimate to a new tank after a move. I have not identified an obvious cause, condition, or culprit. The only difference was how long it took the specimens to succumb.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks very much, everyone, I appreciate the comments.