Rather urgent help requested re Anemone

[mudplo]

Hey all,

We have an RBTA that has been looking especially unhealthy for the past couple weeks; mouth open, tips deflated, etc. He still had a pretty solid grip on the rock though, so I figured maybe it would get better.

Today he seems to have moved a bit (couple inches) and is now completely upside down, and I can see yellow on his base. He is still connected, but his mouth and tips are all face down.

Is this pretty well the end of my anemone? I would hate to flush him early, but it just looks beyond awful. I just don't want the anemone to poison our fish on the way out.

My philosophy up until now is that he is at least okay as long as he is connected firmly. Is that incorrect?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Clint

 

[shroutk3]

What are your parameters and lighting like?

Anemones aren't dead until the start dissolving, so don't give up yet. BTAs are especially hearty, why don't you post some info and maybe someone can help save it. The anemone and clown fish forum is also a good place to ask.

 

[mudplo]

It seems to occasionally try to lift itself back up, but it's foot position makes it pretty much stuck upside down...don't think I should move it though

Temp: 78.5
PH: 8.05 (Been rising for a few weeks, trying to get it good)
Calcium: 515
KH: 11
Nitrate: .05
Nitrite/Ammonia: 0
Salinity: 1.022

 

[HotHotHot]

You might want to raise your SG to 1.025-1.026 but watch your ALK. It's pretty high already.

Generally BTAs go through all kind of contortions, inflate, deflate, invert. If it wants to it should be able to right itself.

You didn't mention your lighting.

 

[mudplo]

Sorry; lighting is 4*65 Power Compacts,with the anemone right near the top of the tank (60 Gal Tank). Much nicer lights on the way.
I guess what concerns me is that the anemone has not looked "good" in about four weeks. Mouth is pretty constantly open, and doesn't show interest in eating, although he might be pulling some of the food I'm dropping for the fish.
How long do these moods last?!

 

[Urchinhead]

This is not necessarily a bad sign. A healthy anemone usually positions itself so it can pull itself under a rock cover when it needs to.

Have you tried feeding her directly? An open mouth that looks puckered or (Please pardon me) a bit like a woman's private parts can be a sign of a hungry anemone and with your lighting she may not be getting enough energy by herself... Depending on the size or your nem try PE Mysid and/or very small pieces of silverside.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

Silly question... Do you feed it? I used to shread up some cocktail shrimp and dropped it right in the mouth.

 

[Toddrtrex]

The mouth on an anemone should be tightly closed, and it being open for 4 weeks is a very bad sign.

The salinity should be at 1.026.

 

[mudplo]

Our LFS has been pushing 1.022 pretty hard...I don't personally have a dog in this fight, but am curious as to what the difference might be? Different PH for coral-based tank vs. FOWL vs.anemone?

 

[livingcorals]

+1 with Toddrtrex.
How did you go about feeding it and how long was your setup going before you added it?
Good rule to follow with any BTA is 1 year established tank.
Here is a link on them I think would help you out, http://www.karensroseanemones.com/


They can play hide and seek. Sometimes people will buy one for there clownfish. Which the BTA should always be 3x bigger. Just so they don't get loved to death by the ClownFish.

 

[mudplo]

Tank has actually been up and going for 3+ years, filled with pods etc.
I had traditionally cut up shrimp pieces for it and placed them near the mouth/tentacles and it would eat. In past few weeks it will just let the food kind of slide off.
Interesting side note; the tips are getting their texture back, and the anemone seems to be perking up a bit. Mouth still open a bit, but looks better. Just concerned about the upside-down thing

 

[josh916]

mine did the same thing just leave it alone and it will get better try to feed it like every 3-5 days if it eats it eats if it does not then dont worry the salinity could be upped a little like 1.024 but i would not worry to much about it

 

[Urchinhead]

The lower salinity, from what I recall, revolves around the whole thought process that lower salinity helps fight off parasites like Ich. Unfortunately to get to the level where Ich is impacted you need to be down in the 1.019 and below range.

And I didn't realize that it was a recent situation with the mouth open. That changes the perspective a bit and I agree with Toddrtrex. That is not a good sign. A good sign however is that it is firming up and getting its texture back.

I have nursed several near death anemone's back that I rescued from either other hobbyists or a LFS and its a touch and go game. Karen from www.karensroseanemones.com that Living corals mentions is a excellent resource and she does answer her emails. She was very helpful with my latest poor girl and I would suggest that you send her an email with a photo of your nem.

 

[surge19us]

How old are the bulbs in your light fixture?