Red carpet on the way....maybe?

[sonofgaladriel]

This anemone is going to be huge. At least 12" across, maybe more as it continues to acclimate.
It has started to sit itself, but unfortunately on a piece of eggcrate, not the bowl of sand I had hoped for. I placed some eggrate on both sides, kind of as a warning to the fish, as well as an attempt to keep the anemone coralled.
The mouth continues to open and close. Sometimes open, sometimes completely closed I moved it around a little when readjusting the eggcrate, which caused it to open its mouth again when I took these pics. I hope this is not a bad sign. It remains sticky and full bodied but the tentacles are not inflated yet.
Here are some pics under my 20K DE XM's and actinics. It looks alot more pink/red under my lighting than the fire red/yellow in the pics from coralreeffarm, but I knew that could be a possibility.
Oh, when should I attempt to feed it?
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[arcab4]

when u say it sometime closes and opens...the mouth in the picture...that considered opened or closed?

 

[isseym328]

Usually I try not to feed anemones when they are acclimating just because I feel they are already exerting a lot of energy trying to cope with the water parameter that they're not used to. But some say you should feed them because they are using a lot of energy to acclimate and if you don't feed them they wont' have enough energy to survive the acclimation. It goes both ways. My opinion is to let it sit for a couple days w/o feeding. Also make sure it's not in a place with too much light cuz that could kill it as well.

 

[delphinus]

I'd hold off feeding for a day or two. I would expect a little gaping right after shipping. .. I'm trying to remember how long mine might have done that (the haddoni I had for a number of years was MO, the one and only time I tried MO for an anemone). But unfortunately it was back in '99, that's too far back to remember now. Anyhow for the first little while it's really going to feel like touch and go. Make sure there's enough current to keep any detritus from settling on it and I'd give a think to that airstone idea at least for the first night or so.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8195709#post8195709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arcab4
when u say it sometime closes and opens...the mouth in the picture...that considered opened or closed?

It is open in the pics. I just checked at lights out and the mouth is closed again.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8195729#post8195729 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by isseym328
Usually I try not to feed anemones when they are acclimating just because I feel they are already exerting a lot of energy trying to cope with the water parameter that they're not used to. But some say you should feed them because they are using a lot of energy to acclimate and if you don't feed them they wont' have enough energy to survive the acclimation. It goes both ways. My opinion is to let it sit for a couple days w/o feeding. Also make sure it's not in a place with too much light cuz that could kill it as well.

I'll try to feed it something small and easy to digest on Saturday afternoon.
Currently, it is in moderate to high random flow. Located about 24" below a 250 watt DE bulb.
I'm a little bit worried now too. I brushed up against it while moving the eggcrate and the tentacles weren't sticky It's also let loose of the rock sand and is maybe only 1/4 attached to the bowl I placed next to it.
I wonder if its in too much flow?

 

[sonofgaladriel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8196548#post8196548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by delphinus
I'd hold off feeding for a day or two. I would expect a little gaping right after shipping. .. I'm trying to remember how long mine might have done that (the haddoni I had for a number of years was MO, the one and only time I tried MO for an anemone). But unfortunately it was back in '99, that's too far back to remember now. Anyhow for the first little while it's really going to feel like touch and go. Make sure there's enough current to keep any detritus from settling on it and I'd give a think to that airstone idea at least for the first night or so.

Thanks for the reassurance. Should I put an airstone in the display tank? I guess it can't hurt anything, but I've got great flow and a great skimmer airating the water.

 

[traveller7]

If the aim is to have it in a "bowl", an anemone that size is going to want at least 8"x8" and almost a 4" depth. I would go bigger and I would make sure it could get its foot attached under a rock that is at least the size of a football. If it can move the rock, it will keep moving around it under the sand.

Some of mine that size move rock piles trying to get a firm foothold.

Best of luck and I would hold off at least a few days on feeding. If it is inflating and deflating, it will likely regurgitate the meal anyway.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Thanks traveller7! It does seem to want to attache to something other than just the sand. I'll try to put a larger bowl under it tomorrow and place a fair size rock there too.

 

[coraldude]

very nice looking. id try feeding myisn shrimp. litely

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Airstone is in place about 3" from the anemone. Flow turned down just a little bit but still getting good water movement over the anemone, but not forceful.
Lights have been out for about an hour at its still fully inflated and seems to be attaching again to the side of the bowl and the aquarium acrylic. It doesn't seem interested in the sand inside the bowl at all.
Mouth is just very slightly open at this point.
My worry is that it isn't sticky right now

 

[LesMartin]

The bowl seems a little small for what you are attempting. I'd try something bigger if you have one. Also, I'd try removing the sand from the bowl and placing the Anemone inside it as it's really looking for somewhere smooth to attach. You can always backfill when it's settled. Food wise I don't think it will be interested until it is attached where it feels secure.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Looking good this morning. Fully attached itself to the aquarium acrylic and mouth was closed. Totally ignored the bowl full of sand.
Seemed to have good inflation and good color.
I'll try not to bother you guys with too many posts on condition from here on. I realize this thread has gone on fairly long, longer than I had intended. Sorry.
I'll post a few pics over the weekend.

 

[isseym328]

Actually i don't mind the long thread. I'm getting in another carpet myself soon and I like to hear what everyone has to say, including you.

 

[delphinus]

Agreed, nonsense, keep us updated! It's the only way I get to see what's happening! One can't have it all so sometimes one has to live vicariously through others.

 

[818]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8199035#post8199035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by delphinus
Agreed, nonsense, keep us updated! It's the only way I get to see what's happening! One can't have it all so sometimes one has to live vicariously through others.

Couldnt have said that better!

Keep us updated

 

[phender]

FWIW: Haddonis don't actually attach themselves to the sand. They bury their foot in the sand and attach it to something in the sand like a buried rock or the bottom of you aquarium.
Since it has attached to the side of your tank, you are fine. It may decide to move along the glass and plow its way under the sand and on to your bottom glass.
I wouldn't worry about it being in the bowl. When you decide to move it, it is pretty easy to get them off the bottom of the tank. It just disturbs your sand bed a bit.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Thanks guys for the thumbs up on continuing this thread. I've really enjoyed it and have learned so much more than what is in the anemone FAQ's above.
Nothing beats other peoples experiences and a real time discussion.
Thanks phender. Its good to know moving it later won't be too bad. I've tried to move some of my RBTA's and its a real pain, but of course we're dealing with anemones that plant themselves in/on the rock.

 

[traveller7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8200655#post8200655 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sonofgaladriel
I've tried to move some of my RBTA's and its a real pain, but of course we're dealing with anemones that plant themselves in/on the rock.

Haddoni will as well, the rock is just typically under the sand. Thankfully the larger specimens will typically have some portion of the foot still attached to the glass/acrylic making them easier to remove.....small ones can be quite a pain.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Just got home and found it up on the acrylic! Seems to be doing well. No longer gaping. Seems well attached, full, and handling the strong current well.

 

[arcab4]

to me it's starting to look a bit healthier. i like how there is more density of the polyps. it looks like it's needing more light? hence the movement up?

i have one of similar size and it tends to keep on moving till it's happy with the flow and lighting. looks like it's in the corner of the tank where i tmight not get as much lighting as if it was in the middle.

but also losing one of the same size....i learned that just leave it be is the best thing to do. looks like your tank has a good amount of coral..be ready to move them around.

how is the mouth?